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SHIP W R £ C K S 


I 

AND 

DISASTERS AT SEA; 


on 

HISTORICAL NARRATIVES 

OF THE 

MOST NOTED CALAMITIES, AND PROVIDENTIAL DELIVER 
ANCES FROM FIRE AND FAMINE, ON TIIE OCEAN. 


Yo lost companions of distress, adieu 1 
Your toils, and pains, and dangers are no more 
The tempest now shall howl unheard by you, 

While ocean smites in vain the trembling shore. 

Falconer. 


WITH A SKETCH OF THE VARIOUS EXPEDIENTS FOR PRESERVING 

THE LIVES OF MARINERS, 

BY THE AID Or 

* 

LIFE-BOATS, LIFE-PRESERVERS, &c. 


COMPILED BYCHARLES ELLMS. 

a 


NEW-YOIUv ; 

RICHARD MARSH 


314 PcaiJ Street. 



Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 183G, by 
Samuel N. Dickinson, 

in the Clerk’ 4 * Oflice of the District Court of Massachusetts. 


* i. 


-? 




PREFACE. 


A natural desire to know the fate of their fellow crea 
tures seems implanted in the breast of mankind, ar d the 
most powerful sympathies are excited by listening ;o the 
misfortunes of the innocent. To record some impressive 
examples of calamity or unlooked-for deliverance at sea, 
is the object of these pages ; which consist of authentic 
and true narratives of the most affecting and thrilling 
description, thrown together without reference to chron¬ 
ological order. We leave it optional with the reader in 
selecting those which his inclination may first induce him 
to peruse. Shipwrecks and disasters of that stamp are not 
only read with avidity, but in our opinion, with advantage. 
To rouse the dormant powers of sympathy, — to display 
human nature struggling with adverse fortune, serves at 
once to mend the heart, and to exercise one of its most 
amiable propensities. We participate in the distress which 
wc cannot alleviate, till we feel an inclination to lessen the 
mass of ills within our reach. From what admits of no 
cure, we turn our eyes to scenes of calamity now passing 
or to misfortunes that press with afflictive force on indi¬ 
viduals, or bodies of men ; and callous must that heart be, 
which under such' impressions would not stretch forth a 
hand to assist or relieve. Let the following pages then, as 


PREFACE. 


'V 

far as they detail misery, be read with a view of alleviating 
its weight, whenever an opportunity presents itself, and we 
shall not only be entertained, but bettered by their perusal. 
Those by whom danger is held in the greatest dread are 
most apt to magnify its approach, while those familiarized 
with it, undervalue its presence. Thus the narratives oi 
seamen are commonly entitled to a greater degree of con 
fidence than those of others. 

A few brief and interesting notices of countries, or 
incidents connected with the narratives are given. Ship¬ 
wreck has, of itself, opened a wide field of geographical 
knowledge, and there is little doubt, from the difficulty oi 
release, many unfortunate persons who sailed in quest oi 
their own country, have been incorporated with the savage 
tribes of other shores, and even now may languish in cap¬ 
tivity. But it must always be a consolation to reflect, that 
there is scarcely any condition, however deplorable, to which 
mankind, by time and circumstances, may not be reconci¬ 
led. The human mind has been so moulded by nature, 
that former impressions die away, others usurp their place, 
and, in the anxiety of providing for immediate wants, the 
recollection of enjoyments are obliterated. 

It is deeply interesting to the cause of humanity, that 
every one exposed to hazard sha’l be aware how far he is 
from being destitute. Instances frequently occur, and some 
of them are related here, where a vessel has continued 
sinking down to the decks, menacing the miserable crew 
with instant death, and has then gained her equilibrium in 
the water. Boats of inconsiderable size are capable from 
the same cause of performing voyages infinitely more 
arduous than what is usually credited, of which wonderful 


PREfc &CK. 


V. 


examples will appear in the subsequent narratives. It is 
neither a tempestuous sea, scanty subsistence, nor remote¬ 
ness from a haven of safety, that will always prove destruc¬ 
tive to the mariner; but encouraging himself with hope, 
adopting prudential measures, and promising relief to those 
around him, will essentially contribute towards their preser¬ 
vation and his own. 






THE POR JISE. 





♦* Now to the north, from Afric’s burning shore, 

A troop of Porpoises + heir course explore ; 

In curling wreaths they gambol on the tide, 

Now bound aloft, now down the billow glide; 

Their tracks awhile the hoary waves retain, 

That burn in sparkling trails along the main. 

These fleetest coursers of the finny race, 

When threatening clouds the ethereal vault deface 
Their route to leeward still sagacious form, 

To shun the fury of the approaching storm.” 

Falconer 




TIIB 6TOBMY PETREL, OR MOTHER CAREY’S CHICKS** 










INTRODUCTION. 

“To those who gaze upon its surface, the ocean is a 
sublime sight, whether viewed from the lofty cliff, beet- 
.ing rock, or sandy beach. The first property of the ocean 
that strikes our sight is its vast extent, and the first that 
addresses our understanding is the vast extent of its use¬ 
fulness. “ The waste of waters,” as we are in the habit 
of calling it, though it be any thing but a waste, girdles the 
globe from pole to pole, and occupies nearly three-fourths 
of its surface. It is the nursery where growing warriors 
are inured to enterprise, and taught to guard the soil of 
their nativity ; it proves a barrier to the most inveterate foe; 
and it bears the produce of distant climes to enhance our 
national wealth and prosperity. When on some calm and 
pleasant day there is not a cloud to dapple the sky, or a 
breath to ruffle the waters, we look out upon the soft green 
face of ocean, as it reposes in the very lap of peace, 

“ Then thou art lovely, when the golden smiles 
Of the warm sunbeams on thy surface rest, 

Giving to life and light a thousand isles 
Which gem thy breast, 

And send delicious odours in the breeze, 

From groves of spicy trees. 

We see it extending on and on in one glassy level, tni 
it blend its farthest blue so softly with that of the air, that 
we know not which is sea and which sky. The distant 
sail is an unmoving point in the horizon, a beacon, as it 
were, rising from the sea, and fixed forever to the spot. 
That bark has measured, perhaps, the circumference of the 
globe, has often glided on the summer sea with a favoiing 
breeze, and often labored in the storm, amid the raging 


vili. 


INTRODUCTION. 


* 

elements, when the ocean and the air were one wide scene 
of uproar, sublimity, and danger. Now it lies on the 
flood, impatient of the delay, not a ripple chafing its side, 
and not a breath moving the canvass that hangs from the 
extended yards. But this will not continue long ; before 
tomorrow’s sun it may again feel the conflict of the 
waves, and again bound before the fury of the blast. And 
why is there this constant uncertainty of the winds and 
waves. The ocean is scarcely ever, even for an hour the 
same ; the morning breeze may sink into a mid-day calm, 
and that again, may, before another day, be exchanged for 
the careering blast. 

If the ocean in many of its respects be beautiful, it is 
in others awful and terrific. When the storm is brewing 
in the distant sky, and cloud upon cloud rolling in masses 
and roaring in thunder, has thrown its shadow upon the 

sea. 

“ Then thou art glorious when the tempest howls, 

Like a roused tigress springing to the light; 

And the black sky grows blacker as it scowls 
Upon the night, 

When thunder roars, and the red lightning leaps 
Over the foaming deeps.” 

So as to change the soft green to a dark and dismal 
raven blue, which gives all the effect of contrast to ihe 
spray that dances on the crests of the waves as they are 
dashing high over the da?k ledges. The blast howls 
among the grim and desolate rocks as the surf chafes 
around the reef, or dashes with angry foam against the 
cliffs, or ever and anon as the fitful blast puts on all its 
fury, covers the whole with reeking confusion. Meantime 
far as the eye can reach, the ocean boils and heaves, pre¬ 
senting one wide extended field of foam. No sign of life 
is seen, save when the sea-fowl laboring hard to bear itself 
up against the blast, hovers over head or shoots athwart 
the gloom like a meteor. 

And amidst this wild commotion of the elements, 
need we therefore wonder that the masts and cordage that 
man constructs, should be rent as if they were gossamer, 
and his navies scattered like chaff. Thus amid the fury of 
the elements, vessels are shipwrecked on the shore, or foun¬ 
dered in mid-ocean, which events may be ranked among the 


INTJtODrC I ION. 


IX 


greatest calamities which man experiences. Shipwreck is 
never void of danger, frequently of fatal issue, and invari¬ 
ably productive of regret. It is one against which there is 
least resource ; where patience, fortitude and ingenuity are 
unavailing, except to protract a struggle with destiny, 
which, at length, proves irresistible. But amidst the myr¬ 
iads unceasingly swallowed up by the deep, it is not by the 
numbers that we are to judge of the miseries endured. 
Hundreds may at once meet an instantaneous fate, hardly 
conscious of its approach, while a few individuals may 
linger out existence, daily in hope of succor, and at length 
be compelled to the horrible alternative of preying on each 
other for the support of life. Neither is it by the narra¬ 
tives about to be given, that we are to calculate on the 
frequency of shipwreck. Let us reflect how many vessels, 
belonging to our own country, disappear, with whose place 
of destination we are fully acquainted, and how numerous 
the lives that certainty discloses are lost, the details of 
whose sufferings are never known but by Him “who 
rideth on the whirlwind and directeth the storm.” To 
whom the unsophisticated hopes of the sailor cling as he 
feels the link that binds him to nature and the earth, about 
to be separated by the stroke of dissolution. And he de¬ 
scends into a “ watery grave” there to remain, 

“ Iin tne last trump calls up all hands again, 

When he will be given up by its depths, and be borne unre¬ 
sistingly on its bosom to the still distant shores of eternity. 








Th® Hell ef La Perouse’s Ship, found on the reef at t*® 
Island of Mannicola by Captain Dillon. 




CONTENTS. 

1815.—Riley’s Narrative of the wreck of the brig Comm* rce on the 
western coast of Africa, with an account of the sufferings of the crew on 

the Great Desert of Sahara. 13 

1782.—Loss of the Centaur man-of-war, which foundered in the Atlan¬ 
tic ocean; and Captain Inglefield’s Narrative of the sufferings of a part 

of the crew in an open boat.52 

1822.—Distressing loss of the American ship Albion, near the old Head 

* of Kinsaie, on tne coast of Ireland. 64 

1811.—Extraordinary sufferings of Captain Cazneau. 74 

1803.—Loss of the packet ship Lady Hobart, on an island of ice, on the 

Grand Bank of Newfoundland.,.... 83 

178C.—Loss of the Halsewell East Indiaman, on the coast of Eng- 

and. 96 

1785.—The singular fate of Count La Perouse, commander of the two 
French ships of discovery, La Boussole and L’ Astrolabe, with an account 
of the loss of his shallops on the north-west coast of America; and the 
massacre of Capt. de Langle and two boat crews at the Navigator Islands. 
The proceedings of the expedition previous to its departure from New 
Holland. After which it was not heard of for thirty-eight years.—To which 
is added, the manner in which Captain Dillon discovered where the ships 
were wrecked on the Island ofMannicola, in the South Pacific ocean; and 
his successful voyage in search of the remains of that celebrated expe¬ 


dition. 112 

1830.—Fatal explosion of the boiler on board of the steamboat Helen Mac¬ 
Gregor, at Memphis, on the river Mississippi. 153 

1827.—Burning of the Kent in the Bay of Biscay. 161 


1782.—Narrative of the loss of the Grosvenor Indiaman, on the coast 
of Caffraria ; with a melancholy account of the sufferings of the ship’s 
company. To which is added, Van Reenen’s Journal of the Expedition 


from the Cape of Good Hope in search of the survivors.170 

1558.—Famine in Le Jacques.—A French vessel on a voyage from Brazil 

to France.211 

1780.—Loss of the ship Phosnix on the coast of Cuba.210 



















CONTENTS. 


xii. 

1817.—Narrative of the loss of the frigate Alceste cn the Island of Palo 
Leat, in the Indian ocean—with an account of Captain Maxwell’s proceed¬ 
ings on the Island. Hostilities with the natives, and safe arrival at Ba¬ 
tavia.*. 239 

1820.—Shipwreck of the Blendenhall in the South Atlanta ocean, with 
the sufferings and deliverance of the ship’s company by Governor Glass of 

the neighboring island of Tristan d’ Acunha. 257 

1795.—Journal of the disasters which befel the ship Juno, in the Indian 
ocean,—with an affecting account of the sufferings and subsequent ship¬ 
wreck of the crew on the coast of Aracan. 272 

1833.—Fatal wreck of the Amphitrite, convict ship, on the coast of 
France,—by which catastrophe the lives of one hundred and twenty fe¬ 
males and children were destroyed. 292 

1755.—Wreck of the Doddington, on a rock in the Indian ocean... 29G 

1810.—Loss of the ship Margaret. 318 

1752.—Burning of the Prince, a French East Indiaman. 325 ^ 

1833.—Wreck of the ship Isabella, off Hastings, England. 338 

179G.—Explosion of the frigate Amphion, in Hamoase Roads. 34G 

1804.—Loss of the Cumberland Packet, in the West Indies, during a 

dreadful hurricane. 350 

180G.—Narrative of the shipwreck and sufferings of Archibald Camp- 

Dell on the north-west coast of America... 354 

1832.—Loss of the ship Logan by fire. 375 

1816.—Shipwreck of the French frigate Medusa, on the Bank of Arguin, 
off the western coast of Africa, with an account of the horrid sufferings 

of those who embarked on a rafl. 377 

1831.—Narrative of the total loss of the Rothesay Castle steam vessel, 
on the Dutchman’s Bank, on her passage from Liverpool to Wales, giv¬ 
ing an account of the loss of upwards of one hundred passengers.... 404 
1749.—Perilous situation of the ship American, in a voyage to Rhode 

Island.411 

Life Boats, Life Preservers, and expedients for the preservation of Mar- 
ners.417 

















RILEY’S NARRATIVE 

Of the Wreck of the Brig Commerce , on the Western 
Coast of Africa . With an Account of the Suffer - 
ings of the Crete on the Great Desert of Sahara. 



Arabs Tent; Manner of Travelling on the Desert of Sahara . 


The sufferings of Capt. Riley and his unfortunate com 
rades will be perused with intense and painful interest. 
His misfortunes were as great and as various as ever fell to 
the lot of humanity. He truly says, I have drank deep of 
the bitter cup of suffering and woe ; have been dragged 
down to the lowest depths of human degradation and 
2 












14 


riley’s narrative. 


wretchedness; my naked frame exposed without shelter to 
die scorching skies and chilling night winds of the desert, 
enduring the most excruciating torments, and groaning a 
wretched slave, under the stripes inflicted by the hands of 
barbarous monsters, bearing indeed the human form, but 
unfeeling, merciless, and malignant as demons ; yet when 
near expiring with my various and inexpressible sufferings ; 
when black despair had seized on my departing soul, amid 
the agonies of the most cruel of all deaths, I cried to the 
Omnipotent for mercy, and the outstretched hand of provi¬ 
dence snatched me from the jaws of destruction. Unerring 
wisdom and goodness has since restored me to the comforts 
of civilized life, to the bosom of my family, and to the bles¬ 
sings of my native land. 

The Brig Commerce, James Riley, commander; sailed 
from the mouth of Connecticut River, on the 6th of May, 
1815, bound for New Orleans. When in the gulf stream, 
the Brig was drifted out of her course sixty miles in a few 
hours, and touched her keel several times on the S. W. 
part of the Carysford reef; but received no damage. This 
being the first time in the course of my navigating, that any 
vessel which I was in had struck the bottom unexpectedly, 
I own I was so much surprised and shocked, that my whole 
frame trembled, and I could scarcely believe that what had 
happened was really true. From New Orleans the brig ar¬ 
rived safely at Gibraltar. While at this place a vessel in a 
quick passage from New York arrived in the bay. The 
Captain told me he was bound up to Barcelona, and that 
if I would go on board his vessel which was standing off 
and on in the bay, he would give me a New York Price 
Current. I left the schooner about sunset, when they im¬ 
mediately filled her sails and stood on. As we were busy 
in stepping the boat’s mast to sail back, a toppling sea 
struck her, and nearly filled her with water ; we all jumped 
instantly overboard, ii* the hope of preventing her from 
filling, but she filled immediately. Providentially the cap¬ 
tain of the schooner heard me halloo, though at least a 
mile from us, sent his boat, and saved our lives and our 
boat, which being cleared of water, and it being after dark, 
we returned safe along-side of the brig at ten o’clock at 
night. When the boat filled we were more than three 


A FOG 


15 


miles from the Rock, in the Gut, where the current would 
have set us into the Mediterranean, and we must inevita¬ 
bly have perished before morning, but we were spared, in 
order to suffer a severer doom, and miseries worse than 
death, on the barbarous shores of Africa. 

We set sail .from Gibraltar, on the 23d of August, 1815, 
intending to go by the way of the Cape de Verd Islands, to 
complete the lading of the vessel with salt. We passed 



The Rock of Gibraltar; The Boat nos't. 


Cape Spartel on the morning of the 24th, giving it oirth 
of from ten to twelve leagues, and' steered off to the V-. S. 
W. I intended to make the Canary Islands, and pass be¬ 
tween Teneriffe and Palma, having a fair wind ; but it being 
very thick and foggy weather, though we got two observa¬ 
tions at noon, neither could be much depended upon. On 
account of the fog, we saw no land, and found, by good 
meridian altitudes on the twenty-eighth, that we were in 





















16 


riuey’s narrative. 


the latitude of 27. 30. N. having differed ou latitude by 
the force of current one hundred and twenty miles ; thus 
passing the Canaries without seeing any of them. I con¬ 
cluded we must have passed through the intended passage 
without discovering the land on either side, particularly, as 
it was in the night, which was very dark, and black as 
pitch ; nor could I believe otherwise from having had a 
fair wind all the way, and having steered one course ever 
since we left Cape Spartel. Soon after we got an observa¬ 
tion on the 28th, it became as thick as ever, and the dark¬ 
ness seemed (if possible) to increase. Towards evening I 
got up my reckoning, and examined it all over, to be sure 
that I had committed no error, and caused the mates to do 
so with theirs. Having thus ascertained that I was correct 
in calculation, I altered our course to S. W. which ought 
to have carried us nearly on the course I wished to steer, 
that is, for the easternmost of the Cape de Verds ; but 
finding the weather becoming more foggy towards night, 
it being so thick that we could scarcely see the end of the 
jib-boom, I rounded the vessel to, and sounded with one 
hundred and twenty fathoms of line, but found no bottom, 
and continued on our course, still reflecting on what should 
be the cause of our not seeing land, as I never had passed 
the Canaries before without seeing them, even in thick 
weather or in the night. I came to a determination to 
haul off to the N. W. by the wind at 10 P. M. as I should 
then be by the log only thirty miles north of Cape Basador. 
I concluded on this at nine, and thought my fears had 
never before so much prevailed over my judgment and my 
reckoning. I ordered the light sails to be handed, and the 
steering sail booms to be rigged in snug, which was done 
as fast as it could be by one watch, under the immediate 
direction of Mr. Savage. 

We had just got the men stationed at the braces for 
hauling off, as the man at the helm cried “ ten o’clock.” 
Our try-sail boom was on the starboard side, but ready for 
jibing ; the helm was put to port, dreaming of no danger 
near. I had been on deck all the evening myself: the 
vessel was running at the rate of nine or ten knots, with a 
very strong breeze, and high sea, when the main boom was 
jibed over, and I at that instant heard a roaring ; the yards 


THE VESSEL STRIKES. 


17 


were braced up—all hands were called. 1 imagined at 
first it was a squall, and was near ordering the sails to be 
lowered down ; but I then discovered breakers foaming at 
a most dreadful rate under our lee. Hope for a moment 
flattered me that we could fetch off still, as there was no 
breakers in view ahead: the anchors were made ready ; 
but these hopes vanished in an instant, as the vessel was 
carried by a current and a sea directly towards the break¬ 
ers, and she struck. We let go the best bower anchor ; 
all sails were taken in as fast as possible; surge after surge 
came thundering on, and drove her in spite of anchors, 
partly with her head ashore. She struck with such vio¬ 
lence as to start every man from the deck. Knowing there 
was no possibility of saving her, and that she must very 
soon bilge and fill with water, I ordered all the provisions 
we could get at to be brought on deck, in hopes of saving 
some, and as much water to be drawn from the large casks 
as possible. We staved several quarter casks of wine, and 
filled them with water. Every man worked as if his life 
depended upon his present exertions ; all were obedient 
to every order I gave, and seemed perfectly calm. The 
vessel was stout and high, as she was only in ballast trim ; 
the sea combed over her stern and swept her decks; but 
we managed to get the small boat in on deck, to sling her 
and keep her from staving. We cut away the bulwark on 
the larboard side so as to prevent the boats from staving 
when we should get them out; cleared away the long-boat 
and hung her in tackles, the vessel continuing to strike 
very heavy, and filling fast. We, however, had secured 
five or six barrels of bread, and three or four of salted pro¬ 
visions. I had as yet been so busily employed, that no 
pains had been taken to ascertain what distance we were 
from the land, nor had any of us yet seen it, and in the 
meantime all the clothing, chests, trunks, &c. were got up, 
and the books, charts, and sea instruments, were stowed in 
them, in the hope of their being useful to us in future. 

The vessel being now nearly full of water, the surf 
making a fair breach over her, and fearing she would go to 
pieces, I prepared a rope and put it into the small boat, 
having got a glimpse of the shore, at no great distance, and 
taking Porter with me, we were lowered down on the lar- 
2 * 


KIL.EY S NARRATIVE 


1 8 

board or iee side of the vessel, where she broke the Vio¬ 
lence of the sea, and made it comparatively smooth ; we 
shoved off, but on clearing away from the bow of the vessel, 
the boat was overwhelmed with a surf, and we were 
plunged into the foaming surges : we were driven along 
by the current, aided by what the seamen call the under¬ 
tow, (or recoil of the sea) to the distance of three hundred 
yards to the westward, covered nearly all the time by the 
billows, which, following each other in quick succession, 
scarcely gave us time to catch a breath before we were 
again literally swallowed by them, till at length we were 
thrown, together with our boat, upon a sandy beach. 
After taking breath a iittle, and ridding our stomachs of 
the salt water that had forced its way into them, my first 
care was to turn the water out of the boat, and haul her up 
out of the reach of the surf. 

We found the rope that was made fast to her still re¬ 
maining ; this we carried up along the beach, directly to 
leeward of the wreck, where we fastened it to sticks about 
the thickness of handspikes, that had drifted on the shore 
from the vessel, and which we drove into the sand by the 
help of other pieces of wood. Before leaving the vessel, I 
had directed that all the chests, trunks, and every thing 
that would float should be hove overboard ; this all hands 
were busied in doing. The vessel lay about one hundred 
fathoms from the beach, at high tide. 

In order to save the crew, a hawser was made fast to the 
rope we had on shore, one end of which we hauled to us, 
and made it fast to a number of sticks we had driven into 
the sand for the purpose. It was then tautened on board 
of the wreck and made fast. This being done the long¬ 
boat (in order to save the provisions already in her) was 
lowered down, and two hands steadied her by ropes fas¬ 
tened to the rings in her stem and stern posts over the 
haw’ser, so as to slide, keeping her bow to the surf. In 
this manner they reached the beach, carried on the top of 
a heavy wave. The boat was stove by the violence of 
the shock against the beach ; but by great exertions we 
saved the three barrels of bread in her before they were 
much damaged ; and two barrels of salted provisions were 


A LANDING El FKCTED. 


19 


W© were now four of us, on shore, and busied in picking 
up the clothing and other things which drifted from the 
vessel, and carrying them up out of the surf. It was by 
this time day-light, and high water ; the vessel careened 
deep off shore, and I made signs to have tne masts cut 
ayvay, in the hope of easing her, that she might not go to 
pieces. They were accordingly cut away, and fell on her 
starboard side, making a better lee for a boat alongside the 
wreck, as they projected considerably beyond her bows. 
The masts and rigging being gone, the sea breaking very 
high over the wreck, and nothing left to hold on by, the 
mates and six men still on board, though secured, as well 
as they could be, on the bowsprit and in the larboard fore¬ 
channels, were yet in imminent danger of being washed off 
by every surge. The long-boat was stove, and it being 
impossible for the small one to live, my great object now 
was to save the lives of the crew by means of the hawser. 
I therefore made signs to them to come, one by one, on 
the hawser, which had been stretched taut for that purpose. 
John Hogan ventured first, and having pulled off his jacket, 
took to the hawser, and made for the shore. When he 
had got clear of the immediate lee of the wreck, every surf 
buried him, combing many feet above his head; but he 
still held fast by the rope with a deathlike grasp, and as 
soon as Ohe surf was passed, proceeded on towards the 
shore, until another surf, more powerful than the former, 
unclenched his hands and threw him within our reach ; 
when we laid hold of him, and dragged him to the beach ; 
we then rolled him on the sand, until he discharged the 
salt water from his stomach, and revived. I kept in the 
water up to my chin, steadying myself by the hawser, while 
the surf passed over me, to catch the others as they ap¬ 
proached, and thus, with the assistance of those already on 
shore, was enabled to save all the rest from a watery grave. 

All hands being landed, our first care was to secure the 
provisions and water ; knowing it was a thirsty barren land. 
We carried them up fifty yards from the water’s odge and 
formed a kind of tent over them by means of our oars and 
steering sails. I had fondly hoped we should not, be dis 
covered by any human being on this inhospitable coast. 
But that by repairing our long boat and taking advantage 


20 


riley’s narrative. 


of a calm time we might embark and reach some of the 
Cape de Verds, or some European settlement down this 
coast. 

Being thus employed, we saw a human figure approach 
our stuff, such as clothing, which lay scattered along the 
beach for a mile westward of us. It was a man ! He be¬ 
gan plundering our clothing. I went towards him with all 
the signs of peace and friendship I could make, but he was 
extremely shy, and made signs to me to keep my distance, 
while he all the time seemed intent on plunder. He was 
unarmed, and I continued to approach him until within 
ten yards. 

He appeared to be about five feet seven or eight inches 
high, and of a complexion between that of an American 
Indian and a negro. He had about him to cover his na¬ 
kedness, a piece of coarse woollen cloth, that reached from 
below his breast nearly to his knees; his hair was long and 
bushy, resembling a pitch mop, sticking out every way six 
or eight inches from his head; his face resembled that of 
an ourang-outang more than a human being; his eyes were 
red and fiery ; his mouth, which stretched nearly from ear 
to ear, was well lined with sound teeth ; and a long curling 
beard, which descended from his upper lip and chin down 
upon his breast, gave him a most horrid appearance ; and I 
could not but imagine that those well set teeth were sharp¬ 
ened for the purpose of devouring human flesh !! particu¬ 
larly as I conceived I had before seen, in different parts of 
the world, the human face and form in its most hideous 
and terrific shape. He appeared to be very old, yet fierce 
and vigorous. He was soon joined by two old women of 
similar appearance, whom I took to be his wives. These 
looked a little less frightful, though their two eye-teeth 
stuck out like hog’s tusks, and their tanned skins hung in 
loose plaits on their faces and breasts; but their hair was 
long and braided. 

A girl of from eighteen to twenty, who was not ugly, 
and five or six children, of different ages and sexes, from 
six to sixteen years, were also in company. These were 
entirely naked. They brought with them a good English 
hammer, with a rope lanyard through a hole in its handle. 
It had no doubt belonged to some vessel wrecked on that 


THE ARABS PLUNDERING. 


21 


coast. 1 hey had also a kind of an axe with them, and 
some long knives slung on their right sides, in a sheath sus¬ 
pended by their necks. They now felt themselves strong, 
and commenced a bold and indiscriminate plundering ot 
every thing they wanted. They broke open trunks, chests, 
and boxes, and emptied them of their contents, carrying 
the clothing on their backs up on the sand-hills, where they 
spread them out to dry. 


, fhe y em ptied the beds of their contents, wanting only 
the clot h, and were much amused with the flying of the 



The Arabs clothing themselves, and plundering. 
feathers before the wind from my bed. It appeared as 
though they had never before seen such things. 

1 had an adventure of silk lace veils and silk handker¬ 
chiefs : me former, the men, women, and children tied 
round their heads and legs. They all seemed delighted 
with their good fortune. My men were exasperated, and 
wished to take vengeance on the natives for their insolence 
and plundering; but I convinced them of the folly of driv¬ 
ing off these wretches, as they would return with number* 













riley’s narrative. 


22 

and murder us on the spot. I therefore let them take what 
they pleased, except our water and provisions, which, aa 
we could not live without them, I was determined to de¬ 
fend to the last extremity. On our first reaching the shore, 
I divided one thousand dollars among the men, in hopes it 
would be useful to them in helping them to get released 
from this country, and reach their homes. I now deter¬ 
mined to mend the long-boat. The wind lulled in the af¬ 
ternoon, at low water, when a man reached the wreck and 
procured a few nails and a marline-spike, and got safe 
ashore. 

I found the timbers of the boat in* so crazy a state, and 
the nails which held them together, so eaten by the rust, 
that she would not hold together, nor support her weight 
in turning her up, in order to get at her bottom. I tacked 
her timbers together, however, as well as I could, which 
was very imperfectly, as I had bad tools to work wfth, and 
my crew, now unrestrained by my authority, having broached 
a cask of wine, and taken copious draughts of it, in order 
to dispel their sorrows, were most of them in such a state, 
that, instead of assisting me, they tended to increase my 
embarrassment. We, however, at last got *he boat turned 
up, and found that one whole plank was out on each side, 
and very much split. I tacked the pieces in, assisted by 
Mr. Savage, Horace, and one or two more. We chinced 
a little oakum into the seams and splits with our knives, as 
well as we could, and worked upon her until it was quite 
dark. 

Night had now spread her sable mantle over the face of 
nature, the savages had retired, and all was still, except 
the restless and unwearied waves which dashed against the 
deserted wreck, and tumbled among the broken rocks a 
little to the eastward of us, where the high perpendicular 
cliffs, jutting out into the sea, opposed a barrier to their 
violence, and threatened, at the same time, inevitable and 
certain destruction to every ill-fated vessel and her crew 
that should unfortunately approach too near their immove¬ 
able foundations. These we had only escaped by a few 
rods. From the time the vessel struck to this moment, I 
had been so entirely engaged by the laborious exertions 
which our critical situation demanded, that I had no tima 


GLOOMY REFLECTIONS. 


23 


for reflection; but it now rushed like a torrent over my 
mind, and banished from my eyes that sleep which my fa¬ 
tigued frame so much required. I knew I was on a bar¬ 
ren and inhospitable coast; a tempestuous ocean lay before 
me, whose bosom was continually tossed and agitated by 
wild and furious winds blowing directly on shore; no ves¬ 
sel or boat sufficient for our escape, as I thought it impos¬ 
sible for our shattered long-boat to live at sea, even if we 
should succeed in urging her through the tremendous sur¬ 
ges that broke upon the shore, with such violence as to 
make the whole coast tremble; behind us were savage be¬ 
ings, bearing the human form indeed, but in its most ter¬ 
rific appearance, whose object I knew, from what had al¬ 
ready passed, would be to rob us of our last resource, our 
provisions; and I did not doubt but they would be suffi¬ 
ciently strong in the morning, not only to accomplish what 
they meditated, but to take our lives also, or to seize upon 
our persons, and doom us to slavery, till death should rid 
us of our miseries. 

This was the first time I had ever suffered shipwreck. I 
had left a wife and five young children behind me, on whom 
I floated, and who depended on me entirely for their sub¬ 
sistence. My children would have no father’s, and perhaps 
no mother’s care, to direct them in the paths of virtue, to 
instruct their ripening years, or to watch over them, and 
administer the balm of comfort in time of sickness; no 
generous friend to relieve their distresses, and save them 
from indigence, degradation, and ruin. These reflections 
harrowed up my soui, nor could I cease to shudder at these 
imaginary evils, added to my real ones, until I was forced 
mentally to exclaim, Ci Thy ways, great Father of the uni¬ 
verse, are wise and just; and what am I! an atom of dust, 
that dares to murmur at thy dispensations.” 

The night passed slowly and tediously away; when day¬ 
light at length began to dawn in the eastern horizon, and 
chased darkness before it, not to usher to our view the 
cheering prospect of approaching relief, but to unfold new 
scenes of suffering, wretchedness, and distress. So soon 
* as it was fairly light, the old man came down, accompanied • 
bv his wives and two young men of the same family. He 
war- armed with a spear of iron, having a handle made of 


24 


rjley’s narrative. 


two pieces of wood spliced together, and tied with cords 
The handle was about twelve feet long. This he held bal- 
anced in his hand, above his head, making motions as if to 
throw it at us. He ordered us off to the wreck, pointing 
at the same time to a large drove of camels that were de¬ 
scending the heights to the eastward of us, his women run¬ 
ning off at the same time, whooping and yelling horribly, 
throwing up sand in the air, and beckoning to those who 
had charge of the camels to approach. I ran towards the 
beach, and seized a small spar that lay there, to parry off 
the old man’s lance, as a handspike was not long enough. 
He, in the meantime, came to the tent in a fury, where the 
people still were, and by slightly pricking one or two of 
them, and pointing at the same time towards the camels, 
he succeeded in frightening them, which was his object, as 
he did not wish to call help, lest he should be obliged to 
divide the spoil. The crew all made the best of their way 
to the small boat, while I parried off his spear with my spar, 
and kept him at a distance. He would doubtless have 
hurled it at me, but for the fear of losing it. 

The small boat was dragged to the water, but was filled 
by the first sea. We had no resource except trying to get 
eastward or westward. Abandoning our provisions, we 
tried to retreat eastward, but were opposed by this formid¬ 
able spear. We could make but little progress, for the old 
man was very active. He would fly from us like the wind, 
and return with equal speed. The other Arabs joined with 
the old man, and with them drove us to the shore, while 
the women and children kept up a hideous yelling. We 
now turned over the long-boat, and all embarked for the 
wreck, which we reached with the boat half full of water. 
All hands got on board the wreck except myself and ano¬ 
ther. We could hardly keep the boat from sinking by 
baling with two buckets. They were now joined by other 
Arabs, armed with cimiters, who came running from the 
eastward. The old man and they hallooed to us, brandish¬ 
ing their naked weapons and bidding us defiance. The 
old man next came to the beach. With his axe he staved 
in the heads of all our water casks and casks of wines, emp¬ 
tying their contents into the sand. They then gathered up 
all the trunks, chests, sea instruments, books and charts, 


TREACHERY OF THE ARABS. RILEY SEIZED. 


25 


and consumed them by fire in a pile. Our provisions and 
water being gone, we saw no other alternative but to try to 
get to sea in our leaky boat, or stay and be washed off the 
wreck by the sea. 

We now made preparations to leave the brig, by getting 
a few bottles of wine and some slices of salt pork. No 
water could be procured. Our oars lost, we split a plank 
for oars, and attempted to. shove oft'; but a surf striking 
the boat, filled her. The sight of our deplorable situation 
seemed to excite pity in the breasts of the savages who had 
driven us from the shore. They came down to the water’s 
edge, bow r ed themselves to the ground, beckoned us to coine 
on shore, making all the signs of peace and friendship they 
could. Finding we would not come on shore, one pi them 
ran and fetched a goat skin of water. The old man came 
into the water with it, up to his armpits, and beckoned me 
to come and fetch it and drink. Being thirsty, and finding 
we could not get water any other way, I went, by means 
of the hawser, to the beach, where the old man met me, 
and gave me the skin of water, which I carried off to the 
wreck. This done, he wished to go on board, and me to 
remain on the beach till his return. Seeing no possibility 
of escaping but with their assistance, I went on shore, 
where the old man and his companions expressed every 
demonstration of good will and peace. I let the old man 
pass to the wreck while I remained on the beach. When 
the people hauled the old man on board, I endeavored to 
make them understand that they must keep him until I 
was released ; but the noise of the surf prevented their 
hearing me. 

After he had satisfied his curiosity by looking attentively 
at every thing he could see, which was nothing more than 
the wreck of the contents of the hold floating in her, and 
inquiring for baftas, for fire-arms, and for money, as I af¬ 
terwards learnt, he came on shore. When he was near the 
beach, and I about to rise to meet him, I was seized by 
two of the stoutest Arabs, grasping me like lions; and at 
that very instant the women and children presented their 
daggers, knives, and spears to my breast. To strive 
against them were instant death. I was obliged to remain 
quiet. The countenances of all around me assumed the 
3 


26 


RILEY S NARRATIVE. 


most horrid and malignant expressions. They gnashed 
their teeth at me, and struck their daggers within an inch 
of every part of my head and body. The young men held 
me fast, while the old one, seizing a sharp cimiter, laid hold 
of my hair at the same instant, as if to cut my throat or 
head off. I concluded my last moments were come. But 
the old man, after drawing the cimiter lightly across the 
collar of my shirt, which he cut a little, released me. 

When the old man had quitted his hold, and I hailed my 
people, their hopes began to revive, and one of them came 
on the hawser to know what they should do. I told him 
all the money they had on board must be instantly brought 
on shore. He was in the water, at some distance from me, 
and could not hear, on account of the noise occasioned by 
the surf, what I added ; which was for them not to part 
with the money until I should be fairly released. He went 
on board, and all hands hoping to procure my release, put 
their money, which they still had about them, to the ajnount 
of about one thousand dollars, into a bucket, and slinging 
it on a hawser, Porter shoved it along before him near the 
beach, and was about to bring it up to the place where I 
sat. With considerable difficulty however I prevented him, 
as the surf made such a roaring that he could not hear me, 
though he was only a few yards distant; but he at last un¬ 
derstood my signs, and staid jn the water until one of the 
young men went and received it from him. The old man 
had taken his seat alongside of me, and held his cimiter 
pointed at my breast. 

The bucket of dollars was brought and poured into one 
end of the old man’s blanket, when he bade me rise and go 
along with them, he and the young men urging me along by 
both arms, with their daggers drawn before, and the women 
and children behind, with the spear and their knives near 
my back. In this manner they made me go with them over 
the sand drifts, to the distance of three" or four hundred 
yards, where they seated themselves and me on the ground. 
The old man proceeded to count and divide the money. 
He made three heaps of it, counting into each heap by tens, 
and so dividing it exactly ; gave to the two young men one 
third or heap, to his two wives one third, and kept the other 
to himself. Each secured his and their own part by wran- 


RILEY ATTEMPTS TO ESCAPE. 


27 


ping and tying it up in some of our clothing. During this 
process they had let go of my arms, though they vveie all 
around me. I thought my fate was now decided, if I could 
not by some means effect my escape. I knew they could 
outrun me if I should leap from them, and would undoubt 
edly plunge their weapons to my heart if I attempted, and 
failed in the attempt. However, I resolved to risk it, and 
made a slight movement with that view, at a moment when 
I thought all eyes were turned from me; but one of the 
young men seeing my manoeuvre, made a lounge at me 
with his cimiter. I eluded the force of the blow by falling 
backward on the ground. It however pierced my waist¬ 
coat. He was about to repeat it, when the old man bade 
him desist. The money being now distributed and tied up, 
they made me rise with them, and were all going together 
from the beach, holding me by the arms with naked dag¬ 
gers all around me. There appeared no possible means of 
escape, when the thought suddenly suggested itself to me 
to tempt their avarice. I then, by signs, made them under¬ 
stand that there was more money in the possession of the 
crew. This seemed to please them, and they instantly 
turned themselves and me about for the beach, sending the 
money off by one of the young men and a boy. When 
they approached to within one hundred yards of the beach, 
they made me seat myself on the sand between two of them, 
who held me by the arms, bidding me order the money on 
shore. I knew there was none on board of the wreck or in 
the boat; but I imagined if I could get Antonio Michael 
on shore, I should be able to make my escape. I hailed 
accordingly, and made signs to my people for one of them 
to come near the shore; but as they saw, by every move¬ 
ment of the natives, that my situation was dreadfully criti¬ 
cal, none of them were inclined to venture; and I waited 
more than an hour, was often threatened with death, and 
was made to halloo with all my might,> until I became so 
hoarse as scarcely to make myself heard by those around 
me. The pity of Mr. Savage at last overcame his fears. 
He ventured on the hawser, and reaching the beach in 
safety, was about to come up to me, where he would have 
been certainly seized on as I was, when I endeavored to 
make him understand by signs, that he must stay in the 


29 


iuley’s narrative. 


water, and keep clear of the natives, it he valued his lib. 
but not being able to hear me, my guards, who supposed I 
was giving him orders to fetch the money, obliged me to 
get up and approach him a little, until I made him under¬ 
stand what I wanted. He then returned on board of the 
wreck, and I was taken back to my former station. 

Antonio came to the shore. The natives instantly flocked 
round, expecting more money; but, finding he had none, 
commenced beating him, and the children cutting him w th 
knives. He begged for his life upon his knees,, but they 
paid no regard to his entreaties. In hopes of saving him 
from the fury of these wretches, I told him to let them 
know by signs, that there was money buried where the tent 
stood. A new spy-glass, a hand-saw, and several other ar¬ 
ticles had been buried there, together with a bag of four hun¬ 
dred dollars. They went to the spot and commenced 
digging. 

I was seated on the sand, facing the sea, between tho 
old man on my left, with his spear uplifted in his left hand, 
pointing to my heart, and the stoutest young man on my 
right, with a naked cimiter in his right hand, pointing to 
my head. Both weapons were within six inches of me, and 
my guards within a foot on each side. I considered this 
time, that so soon as any thing should be found by those 
who were digging, they would naturally speak and inform 
those who guarded me of it (these had let go of my arms 
some time before) ; and as I was prettv certain that both oi 
them would look round as soon as the discovery of anv 
treasure should be announced, I carefully drew up my legs 
under me, but without exciting suspicion, in order to he 
ready for a start. The place where they were digging w'as 
partly behind us, on our right; and upon their making a 
noise, both my guards turned their heads and eyes from me 
towards them, when 1 instantly sprang ou x t from beneath 
their weapons, and flew to the beach. I was running for 
my life, and soon reached the water’s edge. Knowing 1 
was pursued and nearly overtaken, I plunged into the sea 
with all my force head foremost, and swam under water as 
long as I could hold my breath ; then rising to the surface, 
1 looked round on my pursuers. The old man was within 
ten feet of me, up to his chin in water, and was in the act 


escape Kom me vviia /vraDs 



ws 


.ill 































































































































































































« 


* «-* 




f • • «, 




• • t 







» 






. 














































RILEY ESCAPES TO THE WRECK. ANTONIO KILLED. 31 

of darting his spear through my body, when a surf rolling 
over me, saved my life, and dashed him and his comrade 
on the beach. I was at some distance westward of the 
wreck, but swimming as fast as possible towards her, while 
surf after surf broke in towering heights over me, until I 
was enabled, by almost superhuman exertions, to reach the 
wreck, when I was taken into the boat over the stern by 
the mates and people. I was so far exhausted that I could 
not immediately witness what passed on shore, but was in¬ 
formed by those who did, that my pursuers stood motion¬ 
less on the beach, at the edge of the water, until I was 
safe in the boat; that they then ran towards poor Antonio, 
and plunging a spear into his body near his left breast 
downwards, laid him dead at their feet. They then picked 
up what things remained, and made off altogether. I saw 
them dragging Antonio’s lifeless trunk across the sand-hills, 
and felt an inexpressible pang, that bereft me for a moment 
of all sensation, occasioned by a suggestion that to me 
alone his massacre was imputable ; but on my recovery, 
when I reflected there was no other means whereby my 
own life could have been preserved, and, under Providence, 
the lives of ten men who had been committed to my charge, 
I concluded I had not done w r rong; nor have I since had 
occasion to reproach myself for being the innocent cause 
of his destruction ; nor did any of my surviving shipmates, 
though perfectly at liberty so to do, ever accuse me on this 
point; from which I have an undoubted right to infer that 
their feelings perfectly coincided with mine on this melan¬ 
choly occasion. 

Hostilities had now commenced, and we could not doubt 
but the merciless ruffians would soon return in force, and 
when able to overpower us, would massacre us all as they 
had already done Antonio. The wind blowing strong, and 
the surf breaking outside and on the wreck twenty or thirty 
feet high, the hope of getting to sea in our crazy long-boat 
was indeed but faint. She had been thumping alongside 
the wreck and on a sand-bank all day, and vviithed like an 
old basket, taking in as much water as two men constantly 
employed with buckets could throw out. The deck and 
outside of the wreck were fast going to pieces, and the 
other parts could not hold together long. The tides (by 


32 


riley’s NARRATIVE. 


being low), together with the sand-bar that had been 
formed by the washing of the sea from the bow of the 
wreck to the beach, had very much lessened the danger of 
communicating with the shore during the day, but it was 
now returning to sweep every thing from the wreck, aided 
by the wind, which blew a gale on shore every night. To 
remain on the wreck, or to go on shore, was almost certain 
death. The boat could no longer be kept afloat alongside ; 
and being without provisions or water, if we should put to 
sea, we must soon perish. We had neither oars nor rudder 
to the boat, nor compass nor quadrant to direct her course 
but as it was our only chance, I resolved to try and get ta 
sea; expecting, nevertheless, that we should be swallowed 
up by the first surf, and launched into eternity altogether. 

In the first place a man was sent on shore to get the tw r G 
broken oars that were still lying there, while I made my 
way into the hold in search of fresh water. I dove in at 
the hatchway which was covered with water, and found 
after coming up under the deck on the larboard side, as 1 
expected, just room enough to breathe, and to work among 
the floating casks, planks, and wreck of the hold. After 
much labor, I found a water-cask partly full and the bung 
tight. After much trouble a small keg was filled, and a 
good drink given to all hands. The man now returned 
with the oars, and he also went of his own accord and got 
the bag of dollars. We got the small boat’s sails into the 
boat, with a spar that would do for a mast, and the brig’s 
fore-topmast-staysail, the keg of water, a few pieces of salt 
pork, a live pig weighing about twenty pounds, and a few 
damaged figs. Every thing being now ready, I endeavor¬ 
ed to encourage the crew, representing to them that it was 
better to be swallowed up altogether than to suffer ourselves 
to bo massacred by the savages. 

As we surveyed the dangers that surrounded us, wave 
followed wave, breaking with a dreadful crash just outside 
of us, and there appeared no possibility of getting safely 
beyond the breakers, without a particular interference of 
Providence in our favor. The particular interference of 
Providence in any case, I had always before doubted. 
Every one trembled with dreadful apprehension, and each 
imagined that the morpent we ventured past the vessel’s 


and his comrades rescued by tiie interposition of Divine Providen 



























































































































































































































































































• 








































PROCEED TO SEA IN THE LONG BOAT. 


35 


stern would be his last. I then said, “ let us pull off our 
hats, my shipmates and companions in distress.” It was 
done in an instant, when lifting up my eyes and my soul 
toward heaven, I exclaimed, “ great Creator and preserver 
of the Universe, who now seest our distresses, we pray thee 
to spare our lives, and permit us to pass through this over¬ 
whelming surf to the open sea; but if we are doomed to 
perish, thy will be done ; we commit our souls to the mer¬ 
cy of thee our God, who gave them ; and O ! universal 
Father, protect and preserve our widows and children.” 

The winds, as if bv Divine command, at this very moment 
ceased to blow. We hauled the boat out; the dreadful 
surges that were nearly bursting upon us, suddenly sub 
sided, making a path for our boat about twenty yards wide, 
through which we rowed her out as smoothly as if she had 
been on a river in a calm, whilst on each side of us, and 
not more than ten yards distant, the surf continued to 
break twenty feet high, and with unabated fury. We had 
to row nearly a mile in this manner ; all were fully con¬ 
vinced that we were saved by the immediate interposition 
of Divine Providence in this particular instance, and all 
joined in returning thanks to the Supreme Being for this 
mercy. As soon as we reached the open sea, and had 
gained some distance from the wreck, the surf returned 
combing behind us with the same force as on each side of 
the boat. We next fitted the mast, and set the small boat’s 
mainsail. 

The wind veered to the "eastward, so that we were ena¬ 
bled to fetch past the point of the Cape, though the boat 
had neither keel nor rudder. It was sunset when we got 
out, and night coming on, the wind as usual increased to 
a gale before morning, so that we expected to be swallowed 
up every moment. We had no compass to guide us, no 
rudder to steer our crazy boat. After a consultation it was 
resolved to keep to sea instead of returning to the cruel 
shores again. After two days of stormy weather, on the 
31st it became more moderate, but the weather was very 
thick and hazy. Our pig being nearly dead for the want 
of water, we killed it, taking care however to save his 
blood, which we divided among us and drank, our thirst 
having become almost insupportable. We also divided the 


30 


KILE Y S NARRATIVE. 


pig’s liver, intestines, &c. between us, and ale some of 
them (as they were fresh.) to satisfy, in some degree, our 
thirst. Tlius this day passed away : no vessel was yet seen 
to relieve us. We had determined to save our urine for 
drink, which we accordingly did in some empty bottles, 
and found great relief from the use of it; for being obliged 
to labor hard by turns to keep the boat above water, our 
thirst was much more severely felt than if we had remain¬ 
ed still. The night came on very dark and lowering ; the 
sky seemed big with an impending tempest. The wind 
blew hard from the N. E. and before midnight the sea 
combed into the boat in such quantities as several times to 
till her more than half full. All hands were employed in 
throwing out the water with hats and other things, each 
believing his final hour had at length arrived, and expecting 
that every approaching surge would bury him forever in a 
watery grave. 

The boat racked like an old basket, letting in water at 
every seam and split, her timbers working out or breaking 
off; the nails I had put in while last on shore were kept 
from entirely drawing out, merely by the pressure of the 
water acting on the outside of the boat. Sharp flashes of 
lightning caused by heat and vapor, shot across the gloom, 
rendering the scene doubly horrid. 

Day came on amidst these accumulated horrors ; it was 
the 1st of September ; thirst pressed upon us, which we 
could only allay by wetting our mouths twice a day with 
a few drops of wine and water, and as many times with our 
urine. 

The wind continued to blow hard all this day, and the 
succeeding night with great violence, and the boat to work 
and leak in the same manner as before. Worn down with 
fatigues and long-continued hunger and thirst, scorched by 
the burning rays of the sun, and no vessel appearing to save 
us; our water fast diminishing, as well as our strength, 
every hope of succor by meeting with a vessel entirely fail¬ 
ed me, so that in the afternoon of the 2d of September, 1 
represented to my companions, that as we were still alive, 
after enduring so many trials, it was ray advice to put 
about and make towards the coast again ; that if we con¬ 
tinued at sea we must inevitably perish, and that we could 


RETURN TO THE SHORE. 


37 


but perish in returning towards the land ; that we might 
still exist four or five days longer, by the means of the 
water and provisions that remained, and that it might be 
the will of Providence to send us on the coast where our 
vessel had been wrecked, and where means were perhaps 
prepared to bring about our deliverance and restoration to 
our country and our families. All seemed convinced that 
it was so, and we immediately put about with a kind of 
cheerfulness I had not observed in any countenance since 
our first disaster. 

On the morning of the 7th we discovered land and con¬ 
tinued to approach it, driving along to the southward by a 
swift current, roaring like a strong tide in a narrow, rocky 
passage, until sunset. The surf was breaking high among 
the rocks near the shore ; we were now very near the land, 
and seeing a small spot that bore the appearance of a sand 
beach, we made towards it. We were carried on the top 
of a tremendous wave, so as to be high and dry when the 
surf retired, on a little piece of sand beach. Without us, 
and in the track we came, numerous fragments of rock 
showed their craggy heads, over which the surf foamed as 
it retired with a dreadful roaring. We got out of the boat 
and carried up the little remains of our water and provi¬ 
sions, and night coming on we were busy in preparing a 
place in the sand to lie on. After wetting our mouths 
with water, and eating a few slices of pork, we laid down 
to rest. 

On the morning of September the 8th, as soon as it was 
light, being much refreshed by our undisturbed sleep, we 
agreed to leave all we had that was cumbrous or heavy, 
and try to make our way to the eastward, in hopes of find¬ 
ing a place, whilst we had strength yet remaining, to dig 
for water, or to get to the surface of the land above us, 
where we hoped to find some herbage or vegetable juice 
to allay, in some degree, our burning thirst, which was now 
rendered more grievous than ever, by our eating a few 
muscles that were found on the rocks, and extremely salt. 
Having agreed to keep togetlrer, and to render each other 
mutual assistance, w'e divided amongst us the little water 
we had. every one receiving his share in a bottle, in order 
to preserve it as long as possible ; then taking a small piece 


38 


HILiEY ? S NARRATIVE. 


or two of pork, which we slung on our backs, either in a 
spare shirt or a piece of canvass, leaving all our clothes 
but those we had on, and our jackets, we bent our way to¬ 
wards the east. I had, before starting, buried the bag of 
dollars and induced every man to throw away every one 
he had about him, as I was convinced that money had been 
the cause of our former ill treatment, by tempting the na¬ 
tives to practice treacherous and cruel means, in order to 
extort it from us. We proceeded now, as well as we were 
able, along close to the water’s side. 

The land was either nearly perpendicular or jutting over 
our heads, rising to the height of from five to six hundred 
feet, and we were forced to climb over masses of sharp and 
craggy rocks, from two to three hundred feet in height; 
then to descend again by letting ourselves down from rock 
to rock, until we reached the water’s edge ; now waiting 
for a surf to retire, while we rushed one by one past a steep 
point up to our necks in the water, to the rocks more favo¬ 
rable on the other side, where by clinging fast hold, we 
kept ourselves from being washed away by the next surf, 
until with each other’s assistance, we clambered up beyond 
the reach of the greedy billows. The beating of the ocean, 
and the force of the currents against this coast, had under¬ 
mined the precipices in such a manner that vast masses 
of rocks, gravel, and sand, had given way and tumbled to 
the shore. Rocks falling on rocks had formed chasms, 
through which we were forced to pass at times for a long 
distance, and surmounting one obstacle seemed only to 
open to our view another, and a more dangerous one. At 
one place we were obliged to climb along on a narrow 
ledge of rocks, between forty and fifty feet high, and not 
more than eight inches broad; those at our backs were 
perpendicular, and a little higher up, huge pieces that had 
been broken off from near the surface, and stopped on their 
way down by other fragments, seemed to totter, as if on a 
pivot, directly over our heads $ while the least slip must 
have plunged us into the frightful abyss below, where the 
foaming surges would instantly have dashed us to pieces 
against the rocks. Our shoes were nearly all worn off; 
our feet were lacerated and bleeding; the rays of the sun 
beating on our emaciated bodies, heated them, we thought, 


MADE PRISONERS BY THE NATIVES. 


39 


nearly to dissolution ; and under these towering cliffs there 
was not a breath of air to fan our almost boiling blood. 1 
had, in crawling through one of the holes between the 
rocks, broke my bottle and spilled the little water it con¬ 
tained, and my tongue cleaving to the roof of my mouth, 
was as useless as a dry stick, until I was enabled to loosed 
it by a few drops of my more than a dozen times distillen 
urine. 

Thus passed this day with us, and when night came on 
it brought with it new distresses. We had advanced along 
the coast not more than about four miles this day, with all 
the exertion we were capable of, without finding any change 
for the better in our local situation, whilst our strength was 
continually diminishing, and no circumstance occurred tc 
revive our hopes. 

We spent the two succeeding days in clambering among 
the rocks under the high cliffs, suffering from hunger; and, 
after unremitting exertions, we found a place by which we 
ascended to the plain above, where no object was seen as 
far as the eye could reach; not a tree, shrub, or spear of 
grass, that might give the smallest relief to expiring nature, 
We travelled along the edge of the cliff*. A little after 
sunset I was encouraging the men to proceed, when cne 
exclaimed, “ J think I see a light.” It was the light of a 
fire. 

Joy thrilled through my veins like the electric spark; 
hope again revived me. We determined to wait till morn¬ 
ing before piesenting ourselves to the Arabs. All agreed 
to go forward and meet the natives on the morning of Sep¬ 
tember 10th As soon as they discovered us they came 
running towards us in the most frantic manner, with drawn 
cimiters, and stripped us amid the most frantic yells. A 
great strife ensued between the savages with respect to di¬ 
viding the plunder and prisoners. They cut each other in 
the most horrid manner with their cimiters, so that the 
blood ran down in streams. After watering the camels 
and loading them, preparations being concluded, the Arabs 
departed for the interior. We were forced to walk and 
drive the camels, while the sand was so soft and yielding 
we sunk up to our knees every step. Thus we mounted 
the sand-hills. The blazing heat of the sun’s rays darting 


40 


RILEY S NARRATIVE. 


on our naked bodies and reflected from the sand ; the 
sharp, craggy rocks and stones that cut our feet and legs 
to the bone, in addition to our excessive weakness, which 
the dysentery had increased, rendered our passage up 
through this chasm or hollow so severe, that we were al¬ 
most deprived of life. I was obliged to stop in the sand, 
until by the application of a stick to my sore back by our 
drivers, I was forced up to its level. And there they made 
the camels lie down and rest. 

The Arabs had been much amused in observing our dif¬ 
ficulty in ascending the height, and kept up a laugh while 
they were whipping us forward. Their women and chil¬ 
dren were on foot as well as themselves, and went up with¬ 
out the smallest difficulty or inconvenience, though it was 
extremely hard for the camels to mount; and before they 
got to the top they were covered with sweat and froth. 
Having now selected five camels for the purpose, one for 
each of us, they put us on behind the humps, to which we 
were obliged to cling by grasping the long hair with both 
hands. The back bone of the one I was on was only cov¬ 
ered with skin, and as sharp as the edge of an oar’s blade; 
his belly, distended with water, made him perfectly smooth, 
leaving no projection of the hips to keep me from sliding 
off behind; and his back or rump being as steep as the 
roof of a house, and so broad across as to keep my legs ex¬ 
tended to their utmost stretch. I was in this manner slip¬ 
ping down to his tail every moment. I was forced how¬ 
ever to keep on, while the camel, rendered extremely res¬ 
tive at the sight of his strange rider, was all the time 
running about among the drove, and making a most woful 
bellowing; and as they have neither bridles, halters, or any 
thing whereby to guide or govern them, all I had to do was 
to stick on as well as I could. 

The Arabs, both men and women, were very anxious to 
know where we had been thrown on shore, whether to the 
eastward or westward; and being satisfied by me on that 
noint, so soon as they had placed us on the camels, and 
given the women directions how to steer, they mounted 
each his camel, seated themselves on the small round sad¬ 
dle, and then crossing their legs on the animals shoulders, 
set off' to the westward at a great trot, leaving us under 


CRUELTY OF THE ARADS. 


41 


the care of the women, some of whom were on foot, and 
urged the camels forward as fast as they could run. The 
heavy motions of the camel, not like that of a small vessel 
in a heavy head-beat sea, were so violent, aided by the 
sharp back-bone, as soon to excoriate certain parts of my 
naked body. The inside of my legs and thighs were also 
dreadfully chafed, so that the blood dripped from my heels, 
while the intense heat of the sun had scorched and blistered 
our bodies and the outside of our legs, so that we were 
covered with sores, and without any thing to administer 
relief. Thus bleeding, and smarting under the most ex¬ 
cruciating pain, we continued to advance in a south-east 
direction on a plain, flat, hard surface of sand, gravel, and 
rock, covered with small, sharp stones. 

It seemed as if our bones would be dislocated at every 
step. Hungry and thirsty, the night came on, and no in¬ 
dication of stopping; the cold night wind began to blow, 
chilling o'ur blood, which ceased to trickle down our lace¬ 
rated legs; but although it saved our blood, yet acting on 
our blistered skins, it increased our pains beyond descrip¬ 
tion. We begged to be permitted to get off, but the wo¬ 
men paid no attention to our entreaties, intent only on get¬ 
ting forward. We designedly slipped off the camels when 
going at a full trot, risking to break our necks by the fall, 
and tried to excite their compassion to get a drink of water 
(which they call sherub) ; but they paid no attention to 
our prayers, and kept the camels running faster than before. 

This was the first time I had attempted to walk bare¬ 
footed since I was a schoolboy. We were obliged to keep 
up with the camels, running over the stones, which were 
nearly as sharp as gun flints, and cutting our feet to the 
bone at every step. It was here that my fortitude and phi¬ 
losophy failed to support me. I cursed my fate aloud, and 
wished I had rushed into the sea before I gave myself up 
to these merciless beings in human form. It was now too 
late. I would have put an immediate end to my existence, 
but had neither knife nor any other weapon with which to 
perform the deed. I searched for a stone, intending, if I 
could find a loose one sufficiently large, to knock out my 
own brains with it; but searched in vain. This paroxysm 
passed off in a minute or two, when reason returned; and 
4* 


42 


RILEY S NARRATIVE. 


r recollected that my life was in the hand of the power 
that gave it, and that “ the Judge of all the earth would 
do right.” Then running with all my remaining might, I 
soon came up with the camels, regardless of my feet and 
pain, and felt perfectly resigned and willing to submit to 
the will of Providence and the fate that awaited me. 

At daylight (Sept. 13th) we were called on to proceed. 
The females struck their tents, and packed them on cam¬ 
els, together with all their stuff. They made us walk and 
keep up with the camels, though we were so stiff and sore 
all over, that we could scarcely refrain from crying out at 
every step; such was our agony—still pursuing our route 
to the south-east. In the course of the morning I saw 
Mr. Williams. He was mounted on a camel, as we had 
all been the first day, and had been riding with the drove 
about three hours. I hobbled along towards him; his 
camel stopped, and I was enabled to take him by the 
hand ; he was still entirely naked ; his skin had been burned 
off; his whole body was so exceedingly inflamed and 
swelled, as well as his face, that I only knew him by his 
voice, which was very feeble. He told me he had been 
obliged to sleep naked in the open air every night; that 
his life was fast wasting away amidst the most dreadful 
torments; that he could not live one day more in such 
misery; that his mistress had taken pity on him, and 
anointed his body that morning with butter or grease. 
“ But,” said he, “ I cannot live. Should you ever get 
clear of this dreadful place, and be restored to your 
country, tell my dear wife that my last breath was spent in 
prayers for her happiness.” He could say no more ; tears 
choked his utterance. His master arrived at this time, and 
drove on his camel, and I could only say to him, “ God 
Almighty bless you,” as I took a last look at him, and for¬ 
got, for a moment, while contemplating his extreme dis¬ 
tress, my own misery. His camel was large, and moved 
forward with very heavy motions. As he went from me I 
could see the inside of his legs and thighs—they hung in 
strings of torn and chafed flesh—the blood was trickling 
down the sides of the camel, and off his feet—“ My God 
I cried, “ suffer me not to live longer in such tortures.” 

In this way, sometimes riding, sometimes walking, we 


FIVE OF THE SUFFERERS PURCHASED BY HAMET. 43 

continued to wander over the desert in different directions, 
suffering intensely from the heat of the sun by day and the 
cold winds by night. Receiving no nourishment during 
this period except a little camel’s milk (about half a pint 
per day,) hunger had preyed upon my companions to such 
a degree, as to cause them to bite off the flesh from their 
arms. I was forced, in one instance, to tie the arms ol 
one of my men behind him ; and, in another instance, two 
of them having caught one of the boys, a lad ah"'it four 
years old, out of sight of the tents, were about oas^.jg his 
brains out with a stone, for the purpose of eating his flesh, 
when luckily I came up, and rescued the child from their 
voracity. They were so frantic with hunger as to insist 
upon having one meal of his flesh, when they would die 
willingly. At length, on the 21st, about the middle of 
day, two strangers arrived, riding two camels loaded w* 
goods. Their names were Sidi Hamet and Seid, from the 
confines of Morocco. Hamet was fortunately on his w r ay 
to Morocco ; and, after much debate and altercation with 
the owners, he succeeded in purchasing five of the wretch¬ 
ed sufferers, Riley, Savage, Horace, dark, and Burns, with 
a view of carrying them to Svvearah, or Mogadore, where 
Captain Riley assured him they w'ould be redeemed the 
moment they arrived. This stipulation was confirmed to 
the satisfaction of Hamet, after having exacted from Riley 
the most solemn protestations that he spoke the truth, as¬ 
suring him that if it proved otherwise, his own life, and 
the perpetual slavery of his companions, would be the for¬ 
feit. Sidi Hamet’s means did not allow him to purchase 
any more of the crew, and they were left behind, scattered 
in different parts of the desert. The sufferers had no rea¬ 
son to regret their change of masters. Hamet w r as com¬ 
paratively a humane man. He bought an old camel, nearly 
dead with age, which he killed, and allowed them a boun¬ 
tiful repast on its blood and entrails. He made shoes for 
them of its skin, and gave each a piece of an old blanket 
or goat’s skin, to protect him from the sun. Thus clad 
and refreshed, they started on their northern tour across 
the desert. Several incidents of great interest occurred. 
The company consisted of Sidi Hamet, Seid, a young 
Arab, the five prisoners, and three camels. They began 
their march about the first of October. 


riley's narrative. 


44 


In a few days, they arrived in a part of the desert 
which was very sandy; so that the people sunk in nearly 
up to their knees at each step—this sand was scorching 
hot. The camels were stopped. And all of us mounted 
on them, when on their rising up, we saw before us vast 
numbers of immense sand hills, stretching as far as the 
eye could reach from the north to the south, heaped up 
in a most terrific manner; we soon arrived among them, 
and were struck with horror at the sight: huge mountains 
of loose sand piled up like drifted snow, towered two hun¬ 
dred feet above our heads on every side, and seemed to 
threaten destruction to our whole party; the loose sands 
blew before the trade winds, cutting our flesh like hail 
stones, and very often covering us from each other's* sight 
while the gusts (which followed each other in quick suc¬ 
cession) were rushing by. 

After a painful march on the desert we came in sight 
of the ocean, about the middle of October, and travelled 
along the coast. On the 17th, the black tops of high 
mountains appeared in the distant horizon to the east¬ 
ward. We soon came to cultivated land. 

October the 22d, we went forward, driving our own 
camels only ; as Hassan had taken the young one, we had 
but three remaining; so we rode by turns, crossing the 
deep hollows which had been worn down by the rains or 
other causes, until afternoon, when we were forced to have 
recourse to the sea-beach to get past one of these-deep 
places, whose sides were so steep as to render a passage 
down it impracticable. When we gained the beach, wo 
found ourselves on a narrow strip of land, which was then 
dry, the tide being out; this extended in length eight or 
ten miles, but from the water’s edge to the perpendicular 
cliffs on our right, not more than ten yards: these cliffs 
appeared to be one hundred and fifty feet in height. 
When we came to the sea water I went into it; and let a 
surf wash over me, that I might once more feel its refresh¬ 
ing effects; but my master, fearing I should be carried 
away by the receding waves, told me not to go near them 
again. As we proceeded along this narrow beach, and 
had passed over half its length, the huge cliffs overhanging 
us on our right, with the ocean on our left, just as we 


Mr.F.T WITH BANDITTI 


45 


is’erc turning a poiht, wc observed four men, armed each 
with a musket and oimiter, spring from beneath the jut 
ting rocks, to intercept our march. Our masters were at 
this time on their camels, but they instantly leaped off, at 
the same time unsheathing their guns: to retreat would 
betray fear, and lead to inevitable destruction—so they 
determined to advance, two against four, and Sidi Hamet, 
though in so weak a state as to be thought incapable of 



Interruption of the Party by some mid Arabs. 


walking before he saw these men, now ran towards them 
with his musket in his hand, while Seid, that cruel cow¬ 
ard, lagged behind-so true it is, that the most generous 

rnd humane men are always the most courageous. Ihe 
foe was but a few paces from us, and stood in a line across 
the beach—Sidi Ilainet holding his gun ready to lire— 

























46 


riley’s narrati ve. 


demanded if it was peace : while he eyed thei? countenar? 
ces to see if they were deceitful—-one of them answered, 
“ it is peace/’ and extended his hand to receive that of 
Sidi Hamet, who gave him his right hand, suspecting no 
treachery, but the fellow grasped it fast, and would have 
shot him and Seid in a moment, but at this critical junc¬ 
ture, two of Hassan’s men came in sight, running like the 
wind towards us, with each a good double-barrelled gun 
in his hand, all ready to fire; the robbers saw them as 
they turned the point, and the fellow who had seized Sidi 
Hamet’s hand, instantly let go, turning the affair oft' with 
a loud laugh, and saying, he only did it to frighten him : 
his excuse was deemed sufficient, merely because our men 
did not feel themselves sufficiently strong to resent the 
insult, and we proceeded on ; but these fellows, who were 
very stout and active, hovered around us, slaves, endeav¬ 
oring to separate us from our masters, as it appeared, in 
the hope of seizing on us as their own—which Sidi Hamet 
observing, ordered me with my men to keep close to the 
camels’ heels, while he and his company (now strong, 
though none of them armed with eimiters) kept between 
us and the banditti. When they found our masters too 
vigilant for them, they took French leave of us, and ran 
along the beach with incredible swiftness, chasing each 
other, and taking up and throwing stones, that I should 
suppose would weigh from six to eight pounds, with a jerk 
that made them whiz through the air like cannon bulls. 
They threw them against the cliffs of rocks, which resound¬ 
ed with the blow; and many of the stores were dashed to 
pieces as they struck. I could see the marks they aimed 
at, and that the stones went with great precision, as well 
as force. I had before no idea that it was possible for men 
to acquire by practice such an enormous power of arm ; 
for they threw these stones with such velocity, that I am 
convinced they would have killed a man at the distance of 
fifty yards at least. 

Soon after this event the brothers drove off some cam¬ 
els, which they were obliged to restore. Their disappoint¬ 
ment produced a terrific quarrel about the division of their 
slaves. They clenched each other like lions; and with 
fury in their looks, each tried to throw the other to the 


SEID AND HAMET FIGHT. 


47 


ground Seid was the largest and stoutest man. They 
writhed and twined in every shape, until both fell, but 
Sidi Hamet was undermost. Fire seemed to flash from 
heir eyes, whilst they twisted around each other like a 
couple of serpents; until Sidi Hamet, by superior activity 
or skill, disengaged himself from his brother's grasp, and 
both sprang upon their feet. Instantly they snatched their 
muskets at the same moment; and each retiring a feu 
paces, with great rapidity and indignation tore the cloth 
covers from their guns, and presented them to each others 
breasts with dreadful fury. Sidi Hamet having had a mo- 



Cruelty of Seid to the boy Horace. 

ment’s reflection whilst priming and cocking his piece, dis¬ 
charged both his pistols in the air, and presented his naked 
breast to Seid, who declined firing, but wreaked his ven¬ 
geance on Mr. Savage and the boy Horace, whom he 
seized by the breast, and dashed on the ground with all 
his might. The force of the blow beat the breath from his 
body, and he lay stretched out apparently dead. He was 
resuscitated with difficulty. 

After suffering great hardships, the party arrived at the 
Widnoon, or river Noon, in the south part^ofSuse. In 
three days after they entered the village of Stuca. 

Fortunately Mr. Wiltshire, the English consul a 4 Moga- 





48 


iuley’s narrative 


dore, agreed to ransom them ; and they proceeded towards 
that place. When near Santa Cruz, the party had to climb 
an almost perpendicular mountain, by a winding kind of 
zig-zag road, the rocks rising nearly perpendicular on one 
side, and a path not two feet wide, which broke off in a 
precipice of some hundred feet deep to the sea. A place 
on this fearful road is called the “ Jew’s Leap,” from the 
following adventure. 

A company of Jews, six in number, from Santa Cruz to 
Morocco, came to this place with their loaded mules in the 
twilight after sunset. Being very anxious to get past it 
before dark, and supposing no other travellers would ven¬ 
ture to meet them, or dare to pass it in the night, they did 
not take the precaution to look out, and call aloud before 
they entered on it; for there is a place built out on each 
end of this dangerous piece of road, from whence one may 
see if there are others on it. Not being quite half a mile 
in length, a person by hallooing out can be heard from one 
end to the other; and it is the practice of all who go that 
way to give this signal. A company of Moors had entered 
at the other end, and going towards Santa Cruz, at the 
same time; and they also supposing that no others would 
dare pass it at that hour, came on without the usual pre¬ 
caution. About half way over, and in the most difficult 
place, the two parties met. There was no possibility of 
passing each other, nor of turning about to go back either 
way. The Moors were mounted as well as the Jews. 
Neither party could retire, nor could any one, except the 
foremost, get off his mule. The Moors soon became out¬ 
rageous, and threatened to throw the Jews down headlong. 
The Jews, though they had always been treated as slaves, 
and forced to submit to every insult and indignity, yet find¬ 
ing themselves in this perilous situation, without the pos¬ 
sibility of retiring, and being unwilling to break their necks 
merely to accommodate the Moors, the foremost Jew dis¬ 
mounted carefully over the head of his mule, with a stout 
stick in his hand. The Moor nearest him did the same, 
and came forward to attack him with his cimiter. Both 
were fighting for their lives, as neither could retreat. The 
Jew’s nrule was first pitched down the craggy steep, and 
dashed to atoms by the fall. The Jew’s stick was next 


TRfcRIBLE CONTEST. 


49 



Terrible Contest between a Party of Jews and Moors. 


hacked to pieces by the cimiter—when, finding it impos¬ 
sible for him to save his life, he seized the Moor in hia 
arms, and springing oft’ the precipice, both were instantly 

hurled to destruction. Two more of the Jews and cite 
r» 







50 


RILEY S NARRATIVE. 


Moor lost their lives in the same way—together with eight 
mules; and the three Jews, who made out to escape, were 
hunted down and killed by the relations of the Moors who 
had lost their lives on the pass. 

We continued our journey without any material inter¬ 
ruption, until we arrived in the vicinity of Mogadore or 
Swearah. Here, our deliverer, who had received news of 
our coming, dismounted from his horse, and was prepared 
to behold some of the most miserable objects his imagina¬ 
tion could paint—he led his horse along the. south angle 
and near the wall : Rais was by his side when opening past 
the corner, I heard Rais exclaim, in Spanish, “Alla estan” 
—“ there they are—at this sound we looked up and 
beheld our deliverer, who had at that instant turned his 
eyes upon us. He started back one step with surprise. 
His blood seemed to fly from his visage for a moment, but 
recovering himself a little, he rushed forward, and clasping 
me to his breast, he ejaculated, ‘ Welcome to my arms, my 
dear Sir; this is truly a happy moment.’ He next took 
each of my companions by the hand, and welcomed them 
to their liberty, while tears trickled down his manly cheeks, 
and the sudden rush of all the generous and sympathetic 
feelings of his heart nearly choked his utterance : then 
raising his eyes towards heaven, he said, ‘ I thank thee, 
great Author of my being for thy mercy to these my broth¬ 
ers.’—He could add no more ; his whole frame was so 
agitated, that his strength failed him, and he sunk to the 
ground. We, on our part, could only look up towards 
heaven in silent adoration, while our hearts swelled with 
indescribable sensations of gratitude and love to the all 
wise, all powerful, and ever merciful God of the universe, 
who had conducted us through so many dreadful scenes of 
danger and suffering ; had controlled the passions and dis¬ 
posed the hearts of the barbarous Arabs in our favour, and 
had finally brought, us to the arms of such a friend. Tears 
of joy streamed from our eyes, and Rais bel Cossin was so 
much affected at this interview, that in order to conceal 
his weeping, he hid himself behind the wall; for the Moors, 
as well as the Arabs, hold the shedding of tears to be a 
womanish and degrading weakness. After a short pause, 
when Mr. Willtshire had in some measure recovered, he 


riley’s deliverance. 


51 


eaid, ‘ Come, my friends, let us go to the city; my house 
is already prepared for your reception.’—The mules were 
led up, and we were again placed on them and rode oft 
slowly towards Mogadore.’ , 

Mr. Wiltshire conducted them to his house, on their 
arrival at Mogadore, had them all washed, clothed, and 
fed, and spared no pains nor expense in procuring every 
comfort, and in administering with his own hand, night 
and day, such refreshments as their late sufferings and 
debility required. Of the miserable condition to which 
these unfortunate men had been reduced, one act will wit¬ 
ness. “At the instance of Mr. Wiltshire,” says Capt. Riley, 
“ I was weighed, and fell short of ninety pounds, though 
my usual weight for the last ten years had been over two 
hundred pounds; the weight of my companions was less 
than I dare to mention, for I apprehend it would not be 
believed that the bodies of men, retaining the vital spark, 
should not have weighed forty pounds!” 



The Nest of Uie Ostiish, 








LOSS OF TIIE 


CENTAUR MAN-OF-WAR, 


W hich foundered m the Atlantic Ocean , in Septem¬ 
ber, 1782. 



The greatest naval catastrophe that ever arose from the 
violence of the elements, occurred to the fleet under the 
command of Admiral Graves, in August, 1782. All the 
trophies of Lord Rodney’s victory, except the Ardent 
perished in the storm; two British ships of the line foun¬ 
dered ; an incredible number of merchantmen under con¬ 
voy were lost; and the number of lives that perished, 
exceeded three thousand. Among the vessels which suf¬ 
fered most in the dreadful storm, was the Centaur man- 
of-war, commanded by Captain Inglefield. 

The Centaur left Jamaica rather in a leaky condition, 
keeping two hand-pumps going, and, when it blew fresh, 
sometimes a spell at the chain-pump. But I had no 
apprehension that she was unable to encounter a common 
gale of wind. 

A storm came on in the evening of the 16th of Septem¬ 
ber, 1782, when the ship was prepared for the worst 
weather usually occurring in the same latitudes ; the main¬ 
sail was reefed and set, the top-galiant-masts struck, and, 
though it did .not at that time blow very strong, the mizen- 
yard was lowered down. 

But towards night it blew a gale of wind, and the ship 
mado so much water it was necessary to turn all hands up 











































































































































































































































































































































































► 






4 








v 








GUN BREAKS LOOSE. 


55 


to the pumps. The leak continuing to increase, 1 enter¬ 
tained thoughts of trying the ship before the sea, and 
happy should I probably have been in doing so, but the 
impropriety of leaving the ccnvoy except in the last ex¬ 
tremity, and the hopes of the weather growing moderate, 
weighed against the opinion of its being right. 

About two in the morning the wind lulled, and ve 
flattered ourselves that the gale was breaking. Soon after 
there was much thunder and lightning from the south-east, 
with rain, when strong gusts of wind began to blow, 
which obliged me to haul up the mainsail, the ship being 
then under bare poles. Scarce was this done, when a 
gust, exceeding in violence every thing of the kind I had 
ever seen, or could conceive, laid the ship on her beam- 
ends. The water forsook the hold and appeared between 
decks, so as to fill the men’s hammocks to leeward, the 
ship lay motionless, and, to all appearance, irrecoverably 
overset. The water fast increasing, forced through the 
cells of the ports, and scuttled the ports themselves 
inwards, from the pressure q f the ship. Immediate direc¬ 
tions were given to cut »»vay the main and mizen-masts, 
trusting, when the ship righted, to be able to wear her. 
On cutting one or two lan-yards, the mizen-mast went 
first over, but without producing the smallest effect on the 
ship, and, on cutting the lanyard of one shroud, the main¬ 
mast fotfowed. I had next the mortification to see the 
forecast and bowsprit also go over. On this the ship 
immediately righted, with great violence, and the motion 
was so quick that it was difficult for the men to work the 
pumps. Three guns broke loose on the main deck, which 
it took some time to secure. In attempting to do so sev¬ 
eral men were maimed, and every moveable was destroyed, 
either by shot thrown loose from the lockers, or the wreck 
of the deck. The officers, who had left their beds naked 
in the morning when the ship overset, had not an article 
of clothes to put on, nor could their friends supply them. 

Before the masts had been ten minutes over the side, I 
was informed that the tiller had broke short in the rudder- 
head, and, before the chocks could be placed, the rudder 
itself was gone. Thus we lay, at the mercy of the wind 
and sea, under accumulated disasters. Yet I had one 


56 


LOSS OF THE CENTAUR MAN-OF-WAR. 


comfort, in finding that the pumps, if any thing, reduced 
the water in the hold, and, as the morning of the lith 
advanced, the weather became more moderate. 

At day-light I saw two line-of-battle ships to leeward, 
Dne of which had lost her mainmast, and the other her 
/ bremast and bowsprit. It was the general opinion on 
board, that the latter was the Canada, and the former the 
Glorieux. The Ramillies was not in sight, and only about 
fifteen sail of merchantmen. 

About seven in the morning, another line-of-battle ship 
was seen ahead, which I soon distinguished to be the Viiie 
de Paris, with all her masts standing. I immediately 
ordered a signal of distress to be made, by hoisting the 
ensign on the stump of the mizen-mast union downwards, 
and firing one of the forecastle guns. But the ensign, 
which was the only one we had remaining, blew away 
soon after being hoisted ; however, I had the satisfaction 
of seeing the Viiie de Paris w 7 ear and stand towards us. 
Several of the merchant ships also approached, and those 
that could, hailed us, and offered their assistance. De¬ 
pending on the king’s ship, I Only thanked them, desiring, 
if they joined Admiral Graves, to acquaint him with our 
condition. I had not the smallest doubt of the Viiie de 
Paris coming to us, as she appeared not io have suffered 
in the least by the storm, and, having seen W?r wear, we 
knew that she was under government of her holm. At 
this time also the weather was so moderate that the mer¬ 
chantmen set their topsails. But the Viiie de Paris ap¬ 
proaching within two miles to windward, passed us, which 
being observed by one of the merchantmen, she wore, and 
came under our stern, offering to carry any message to 
her. I desired the master to acquaint Captain W dkinson 
that the Centaur had lost her rudder, as well as her masts, 
that she made a great deal of water, and I requested him 
to remain with her until the weather became moderate. 
I afterwards saw this merchantman approach near enough 
to speak with the Viiie de Paris, but 1 fear that the condi¬ 
tion of the latter was much worse than it appeared to be, 
as she continued on the same tack. 

Meantime all the quarter-deck guns were thrown over¬ 
board, and the whole of those, except six which had over- 


FIRING OF MINUTE GUNS 


57' 


Bd, of the main-deck. The ship, lying in the trough of 
the sea, labored prodigiously. I got over one of the small 
anchors with a boom and several gun-carriages, veered out 
from the head-door, with a large hawser to keep the ship’s 
bow to the sea. But this, with a top-gallant-sail set on 
the stump of the mizen-mast, had not the desired effect. 

As the evening came on it grew hazy and blew in strong 
squalls. We lost sight of the Ville de Paris, but thought 
certainly to see her in the morning; and the night was 
passed in constant labor at the pumps. Sometimes when 
the wind lulled the water diminished, then blowing strong, 
and the sea rising, the water increased. 

Towards the morning of the 18th I was informed that 
there was seven feet of water on the keelson ; that one of 
the winches was broke; that the two spare ones would 
not fit, and that the hand-pumps were choked. These 
circumstances w T ere sufficiently alarming, but, on opening 
the after-hold to get up some rum for the people, we found 
our condition much more so. 

At this time the weather was more moderate, and a 
couple of spars were prepared for shears, to get up a jury- 
foremast ; but as evening came on, the gale increased.. 
We had seen nothing through the day but the ship which 
had lost her mainmast, and she appeared to be in as great 
want of assistance as ourselves, having fired guns of dis¬ 
tress. Before night, I was told that her foremast was 
gone. 

At day-light of the 19th, there was no vessel in sight, 
and flashes from guns having been seen in the night, we 
apprehended that the ship we had seen the preceding day 
had foundered. 

All the officers, passengers, and boys, who were not 
seamen by profession, had been employed in thrumming 
a sail which was passed under the ship’s bottom, and 1 
thought had some effect. The shears were raised for the 
fore-mast, the weather looked promising, and the sea fell; 
and at night we were able to relieve at the pumps and 
baling every two hours. By the morning of the 20th, the 
fore-hold was cleared of water, and we had the comforta¬ 
ble promise of a fine day. It proved so, and I was deter¬ 
mined to make use of it with every possible exertion. 


58 


LOSS OF THE CENTAUIi MAN-OF-WAR. 


As we had no other resource but bailing, I gave orders 
that scuttles should be cut through the decks, to introduce 
more buckets into the hold; and all the sail-makers weie 
employed night and day in making canvas buckets. The 
orlop-deck having fallen in on the larboard side, I ordered 
the sheet cable to be roused overboard. 

The morning of the 22d arrived, without any thing 
being seen, or any change in the weather; and the day 



Cutting through the Gun Deck ; and bailing. 


was spent in equal struggles to keep the ship above water, 
by pumping and bailing at the hatchways and scuttles. 

During the night the water increased ; but about seven 
in the morning of the 23d, I was told that an unusual 
quantity had appeared all at once in the fore-hold, which, 
on my going forward to be convinced, I found but too 
true. The stowage of the hold ground tier was all in 
motion, so that in a short time not a whole cask was to 
be seen. We were satisfied that the ship had sprung a 





THE SHIP SINKS. 


59 


fresh leak. Another sail had been thrumming all night, 
and I was giving directions to place "it over the bows, when 
I perceived the siiip settling by the head, the lower-deck 
bow-ports being even with the water. 

Every time of visiting the hatchway I observed that the 
water had increased, and at noon it washed even with the 
orlop-deck. The carpenter assured me that the ship 
could not swim long, and proposed making rafts to float 
the ship’s company, whom it was not in my power to 
encourage any longer with a prospect of safety. Some 
appeared perfectly resigned, went to their hammocks and 
desired their messmates to lash them in ; others were 
securing themselves to gratings and small rafts ; but the 
most predominant idea, was that of putting on their best 
and cleanest clothes. 

During the course of these preparations, the ship was 
gradually sinking, the orlop-deck having been blown up 
by the water in the hold, and the cables floated to the 
gun-deck. The men had for some time quilted their 
occupation of bailing, and the ship was left to her fate. 

As evening approached the ship seemed little more than 
suspended in the water. There was no certainty that she 
would swim from one minute to another; and the love of 
life, which I believe was never exhibited later in the ap¬ 
proach of death, now began to level all distinctions. It 
was impossible, indeed, for any man to deceive himself 
with the hopes of being saved on a raft in such a sea; 
besides, it was probable that the ship in sinking, would, 
to a certain surrounding distance, carry every thing down 
with her in a vortex. 

It was near five o’clock, when coming from my cabin, 
I observed a number, of people gazing very anxiously over 
the side; and looking myself, I saw that several men had 
forced the pinnace, and that more w r ere attempting to get 
in. I had thoughts of securing this boat before she might 
be sunk by numbers ; there appeared not a moment for 
consideration ; to remain and perish with the ship’s com¬ 
pany, to whom I could no longer be of any use, or seize 
the opportunity, which seemed the only one of escaping, 
and leave the people with whom, on a variety of occasions 
had been so well satisfied, that 1 thought I could give 


60 


LOSS OF TIIE CENTAUR MAN-OF-WAR. 


my life to preserve them. This was indeed a painful con¬ 
flict, and of which, I believe, no man can form a just idea, 
who has not been placed in a similar situation. 

The love of life prevailed ; I called to Mr. Rainy the 
master, the only officer on deck, desired him to follow me, 
and immediately descended into the boat at the after part 
of the chains. But it was not without great difficulty that 
we got her clear of the ship, twice the number that she 
could carry pushing in, and many leaping into the water. 
Mr. Baylis, a young gentleman of fifteen years of age, 
leaped from the chains after the boat had got off, and was 
taken in. 

It was now near five o’clock in the evening, and in half 
an hour we lost sight of the ship. Before it was dark, a 
blanket was discovered in the boat. This was immedi- 
iately bent to one of the stretchers, and under it as a sail 
we scudded all night in expectation of being swallowed 
up by every wave: it being sometimes with great diffi¬ 
culty that we could clear the boat of the water before the 
return of the next great sea; all of us half drowned, and 
sitting, except those who baled, at the bottom of the boat, 
without actually perishing, I am sure no people ever 
endured more. In the morning the weather grew moder¬ 
ate, the wind having shifted to the southward, as we dis¬ 
covered by the sun. Having survived the night, we began 
to recollect ourselves, and think of future preservation. 

When we quitted the ship the wind was at N. W. or 
W. N. W. and Fayal had bore E. S. E. 250 or 260 
leagues. Had the wind continued for five or six days, 
there was a probability that, running before the sea, wo 
might have fallen in with some one of the Western 
Islands. Its change was a death blow to our hopes, for 
should it begin to blow we knew there would be no pre¬ 
serving life, but by running before the sea, which would 
carry us again to the northward, where we must soon 
afterwards perish. 

On examining what means we had of subsistence, I 
found a bag of bread, a small ham, a single piece of pork, 
two quart bottles of water, and a few French cordials. 

The wind continued to the southward for eight or nine 
days, and providentially never blew so strong but we could 


put on allowance. 


6i 


keep the side of the boat to the sea; yet we were always 
most miserably wet and cold. We kept a sort of reckon¬ 
ing, but the sun and stars being sometimes hid from U3 
for twenty-four hours, we had no very good opinion ol 
our navigation. At this period we judged that wc had 
made nearly an E. N. E. course, after the first night’s 
run, which had carried us to the south-east, and expected 
to see the island of Corvo. We were disappointed, how¬ 
ever, in our expectations, and dreaded that the southerly 
wind had driven us too far to the northward ; thus we 
now prayed for a northerly wind. 



Dangerous Navigation of Captain Inglefield in the Pinnace. 


Our condition began to be truly miserable, both from 
minger and cold, for on the fifth day we had discovered 
that our bread was nearly all spoiled by salt water, and it 
was necessary to go to an allowance. One biscuit divided 
into twelve morsels for breakfast, and the same for dinner, 
the neck of a bottle broke oiT, with the cork in it, served 


























62 


LOSS OF iflE CENTAUR MAN-OF-WAR. 


for a glass ; and this filled with water was the allowance 
lor twenty-four hours to each man. The partition was 
made without any sort of partiality or distinction, but we 
must have perished, had we not previously caught six 
quarts of rain water, and this we should have not been 
blessed with, had we not found a pair of sheets in the 
boat, which by accident had been put there. These were 
spread when it rained, and when thoroughly wet, wrung 
into the kidd with which we baled the boat. We began 
to grow very feeble m this short allowance, which was 
rather tantalizing tb^n sustaining in our comfortless con¬ 
dition, and our clothes being continually wet, our bodies 
were in many places chafed into sores. 

Our sufferings v ere now as great as human strength 
could bear: but wj were convinced that good spirits were 
a better support than great bodily strength ; for on this 
day Thomas Mathews, quarter-master, perished from hunger 
and cold. On the day before he had complained of want 
of strength in his throat, as he expressed it, to swallow 
his morsel, and in the night grew delirious, and died with¬ 
out a groan. As it became next to certainty that we 
should all perish in the same manner in a day or two, it 
was somewhat comfortable to reflect, that dying of hunger 
was not so dreadful as our imaginations had represented. 
Others had cgmplained of the same symptoms in their 
throats; some had drank their own urine, and all but 
myself had drank salt w r ater. 

Hitherto despair and gloom had been successfully pro¬ 
hibited, and, as the evening closed in, the men had been 
encouraged, by turns, to sing a song, or relate a story, 
instead of a supper ; but this evening I found it impossible 
to raise either. As the night came on it fell calm, and, 
about midnight, a breeze sprung up from the westward, 
as we guessed by the swell; but there not being a star to 
be seen, w r e were afraid of running out of our way, and 
waited impatiently for the rising of the sun to be our com¬ 
pass. 

As soon as the dawn appeared we found the wind to 
be exactly as we had wished, at west-south-west, and 
immediately spread our sail, running before the sea at the 
rate o r four miles an hour. 


LAND APPEARS. 


63 


Our last breakfast had been served with die bread ana 
water remaining, when John Gregory, quarter-master, de¬ 
clared, with much confidence, that he saw land in the 
south-east. We had seen fog-banks so often bearing the 
appearance of land, that I did not trust myself to believe 
it, and cautioned the people, who were extravagantly ela 
ted, that they might not feel the effects of disappointment. 

At length one of them broke out into a most immod¬ 
erate swearing fit of joy, which I could not restrain, and 
declared that he had never seen land in his life if what he 
now saw was not so. 

We immediately shaped our course for it, though on 
my part, with very little faith. The wind freshened ; the 
boat went through the water at the rate of five or six miles 
an hour; and, in two hours time, the land was plainly 
seen by every man in the boat, but at a very great dis¬ 
tance, so that we did not reach it before ten at night. 

On nearing the shore we discovered a fishing canoe, 
which conducted us into the road of Fayal about midnight. 
The English consul treated us with the greatest humanity. 

Of the company of the Centaur were saved, Captain 
Inglefield, the master Mr. Rainy; Robert Bayles, a mid¬ 
shipman; James Clark, surgeon’s mate; the captain’s 
coxswain, two quarter-masters, one of whom died in the 
boat, and five seamen. There were lost five lieutenants, 
the captain of maiines, purser, surgeon, boatswain, gunner, 
carpenter, ten mates and midshipmen, and all the rest on 
boa^d. This calamity happened in 48° 33' north latitude 
and 43° 20' longitude. 




DISTRESSING LOSS 


OF THE 

AMERICAN SHIP ALBION, 

Seal the Old Head of Kinsale , on the Coast of 
Ireland , April 22d, 1822.. 



The Albion carrying a heavy press of Sail , to crowd off the Lee Shore . 


The shipwreck we are about to relate, created a pain¬ 
ful sensation throughout the United States when the event 
nappened. The Albion was one of the finest class of 
packet ships between New York and Liverpool. The mate 
Mr. Cammycr says, 






















SHIP THROWN ON HER BEAM ENDS. 65 

We sailed from New York on the first of April, 1822, in 
the ship Albion, of 447 tons, with a crew, including offi¬ 
cers, of twenty five in number, besides twenty three cabin, 
and six steerage passengers; making in the whole fifty 
four persons, only nine of whom now live to relate the 
melancholy tale. For the first twenty days we continued 
our voyage with moderate and favorable weather; and at 
about half past one o’clock in the afternoon of Sunday the 
21st, we made the land. The Fastnet rock bore by com¬ 
pass, E. N. E., distance about three leagues. At 2, made 
Cape Clear, bearing E. and by N., distance about two 
leagues. Thick and foggy, blowing fresh, and heavy squalls 
from the southward. Ship heading up E. S. E., carrying 
all prudent sail to crowd the ship off the land. The gale 
increasing, shortened sail occasionally. At 4 o’clock, then 
under double reefed topsails, foresail and mainsail, carried 
away the foreyard, and split the foretopsail. Got the 
pieces of the yard dowm, and prepared to get another yard 
up. Gale increasing, about half past four, took in the 
mainsail and mizzen-topsail, and set the main-trysail. Night 
coming on, cleared the decks for working ship. At half 
past eight, gale still increasing, with a high sea. Shipped 
a heavy sea, which threw the ship on her beam ends, and 
carried away the mainmast by the deck, the head of the 
mizzen-mast, and fore-topmast, and swept the decks clear 
of every thing, including boats, cabouse house, bulwarks 
and compasses, and stove in all the hatches, state rooms, 
and bulwarks in the cabin, which was nearly filled with 
water. At the same moment, six of the crew and one 
cabin passenger, Mr. A. B. Convers, of Troy, N. Y., were 
swept overboard. 

The ship being unmanageable, and the sea making a 
complete breach over her, w'e were obliged to lash our¬ 
selves to the pumps, and being in total darkness, without 
correct compasses, could not tell how the ship's head lay. 
The axes being swept aw r ay, had no means of clearing the 
wreck. About 1 o’clock, made the light of the Old Ileud 
of Kinsale, but could not ascertain how it bore ; and at 2, 
found the ship embayed. The Captain, anticipated our 
melancholy fate, called all the passengers up, who had not 
before been ori deck. Many oi them had received con- 
6 * 


66 


WRECK OF THE SHIP ALBION. 


siderable injury when the sea first struck her, and were 
scarcely able to come on deck ; others had been inces¬ 
santly assisting at the pumps ; and it is an interesting fact, 
that Miss Powell, an amiable young lady, who was on 
board, was desirous to be allowed to take her turn. One 
gentleman, who had been extremely ill during the passage 
Mr. William Everhart, of Chester, Penn., was too feeble 
to crawl to the deck without assistance, but strange to say, 
he was the only cabin passenger who was saved. 

Our situation at that moment, is indescribable, and I can 
scarcely dwell upon, much less attempt to detail its hor¬ 
rors. About 3 o’clock, the ship struck on a reef, her upper 
works beat in over the rocks, and in about half an hour 
after coming in over the first reef, she parted midships, and 
her quarter deck drifted in on the top of the inside ledge, 
immediately under the cliffs. Up to the period of her 
parting, nearly twenty persons were clinging to the wreck, 
among whom were two females, Mrs. Pye, and Miss Pow¬ 
ell. Captain Williams had, with several others, been 
swept away soon after she struck ; a circumstance which 
may be attributed to the very extraordinary exertions which 
he used, to the last moment, for the preservation of the 
lives of the unfortunate passengers and crew. 

A short time before she parted, myself and six of the 
crew got away from the vessel. After gaining a rock in a 
very exhausted state, I was washed off, but by the assis¬ 
tance of Providence, was enabled, before the return of the 
sea, to regain it; and before I could attempt to climb the 
cliff, which was nearly perpendicular, I was obliged to lie 
down, to regain a little strength, after the severe bruises 
and contusions I had received on the body and feet. One 
of the passengers, Col. Augustine J. PreVost, reached the 
rock with me alive, but was, together with one of the stew¬ 
ards, washed off and drowned. 

Some of the passengers were suffocated on deck and in 
the fore rigging, and some must have been destroyed by 
an anchor which was loose on the forecastle before the 
ship parted. It is scarcely possible to describe the devas¬ 
tation which followed. The entire cargo, consisting of 
cotton, rice, turpentine and beeswax, together with a quan¬ 
tity of silver and gold, to a large amount, was in all direc- 


THE ALBION ON THE ROCKS. 


67 


tioris beaten to pieces by the severity of the sea, without a 
possibility of saving it. 

Very soon after we got up the cliffs, my poor shipmates 
and myself found our way to a peasant’s cottage. 

At 4 o’clock in the morning Mr. Purcell of Garretstown 
was informed that a ship was cast on the rocks at the bot¬ 
tom of the dairy farms of T. Rochfort, Esq. “1 immedi¬ 
ately repaired, and at about the centre of the two farms, 



Distressing Situation of a Female on board , as observed by J\Ir. Furcell. 


found a vessel on the rocks, under a very high cliff. At 
this time as it blew a gale, with spring tide and approach- 
mg high water, the sea ran mountains high; however, l 
descended with some men as far down the cliff as the dash¬ 
ing of the sea would permit us to go with safety, and there 








63 


WRECK OF THE SHIP ALBION. 


had the horrid spectacle of viewing five dead bodies 
stretched on the deck, and four other fellow creatures dis¬ 
tractedly calling for assistance, which we were unable to 
afford them, as certain death would have attended the 
attempt to render them any. Of those in this perLov* 
situation one was a female, whom, though it was impossi¬ 
ble from the wind and the roaring of the sea to hear her, 
yet from her gestures and the stretching out of her hands, 
we judged to be calling and imploring for our assistance. 

At this time the greater part of the vessel lay on a rock, 
and part of the stern where this poor woman lay, projected 
over a narrow creek, that divides this rock from another. 
Here the sea ran over her with the greatest fury, yet she 
kept a firm hold, which it most astonished me that she 
could do ; but we soon perceived that the vessel was broke 
across, where she projected over the rock and after many 
waves dashing against her, this part of the vessel rolled 
into the waves, and we had the heart-rending scene of see 
ing the woman perish. Three men lay towards the stern 
of the vessel, one of whom stuck to a mast, which projected 
towards the cliff, to whom after many attempts, we suc¬ 
ceeded in throwing a rope, and brought, him safe ashore. 
Another we also saved ; but the constant dashing of the 
waves put an end to the sufferings of the others. 

On hearing of the disaster, Mr. Marks the American 
Consul hastened to the spot and did all a man of humanity 
could ; to aid the survivors and save the property. As the 
dead bodies laid on the shore, the mate pointed them out 
to him, and he affixed each person’s name to his corpse. 
And had them buried in a row, and the graves numbered; 
so that if the relatives of any of the deceased wished to 
have them disinterred their bodies could be easily found. 
Among the bodies washed ashore was that of a French 
lady, she was extremely beautiful; when first discovered 
by some respectable persons it was entirely naked. A boy, 
who first saw the body, took off his outside coat and cov¬ 
ered it; and it is related of others of the country people, 
that they also took off their warm clothing, and put them 
on the half perished part of the crew that escaped. Mr. 
Marks had coffins provided for each body ; at the funeral 
a clergyman of the church of England officiated, and they 


NAMES OF THE CREW. 


69 


were buried in Templetrine Churchyard, four miles from 
Kinsale and one from the fatal spot. 

The following is a correct list of the crew and passen 
gers. 

Crew. John Williams, captain, drowned ; Henry Cam- 
myer, first mate, saved; Edward Smith, 2d mate, drown¬ 
ed ; William Hyate, boatswain, saved; Alexander Adams 
carpenter, Harman Nelson, Harman Richardson, Henry 
Whittrell, William Trisserly, James Wiley, Robert Me 
Leilan, and Thomas Goodman, drowned; John Simson, 
John Richards, Francis Bloom, and Ebenezer Warner, 
saved ; Samuel Wilson and William Snow,boys, drowned; 
William Dockwood, drowned, body found and interred; 
Hiram Raymond, saved; Lloyd Potter, Samuel Penny, 
stewards, and Francis Isaac, boy, blacks, all drowned; 
Thomas Hill and Adam Johnson, cooks, blacks, both 
drowned, bodies found and interred. 

Cabin Passengers. W. Everhart, Esq. of Chester, Penn, 
saved ; Lieut. Col. Augustine J. Prevost, Maj. William 
Gough, of the 68th regiment; Rev. G. R. G. Hill, last 
from Jamaica; Nelson Ross, of Troy N. Y.; William H. 
Dwight, of Boston; Mr. Beynon, of London; Professor 
Fisher, of New Haven College; Mr. William Proctor, of 
New York; Mr. and Mrs. Hyde Clark, Mrs. Pye and Miss 
Powell, of Canada, daughter of Judge Powell, all drowned, 
found and interred; Mr. A. B. Convers, of Troy, N. Y., 
and Madame Gardiner and son, of Paris, drowned ; (Mad¬ 
ame G’s body was found and interred ;) five French gen¬ 
tlemen, names unknown, (except Mr. Victor Millicent) 
drowned, found and interred. 

Steerage Passengers. Stephen Chase, of Canada, 
saved ; Mrs. Mary Brereton, and Mary Hunt, drowned, 
found and interred; Mr. Harrison,carpenter. Mr. Baldwin, 
cotton spinner, from Yorkshire, Eng., and Dr. Carver, a 

veterinary surgeon, drowned. 

Four bodies were also found and interred that could not 
be recognised. 

Many of the passengers held distinguished stations in 
society. In Military, Literary and Commercial capacities; 

among which, - , , , 

Professor Fisher Vile College was distinguished for 


70 


WRECK OF THE SHIP ALBION. 


his private virtues and profound literary attainments; he 
was professor of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy, and 
intended to make a professional tour in Europe. But the 
most distinguished sufferer was General Lefebvre Desnou- 
ettes ; during a long series of years, he had braved death in 
the field, fighting in the most gallant style, and escape J to 
perish at last in this catastrophe, when his mind was, per¬ 
haps less than at any other period of his life, reconciled to 
the stroke of fate. "His situation was every way peculiar. 
It is well known that he had been one of the favorite and 
most distinguished of Napoleon’s military generals—that 
he took part in the combination against Louis XVIII. On 
the landing of his old commander from Elba he joined the 
latter with headlong enthusiasm, in his last campaign, and 
being finally proscribed by the royal government took ref¬ 
uge in the United States. Here his misfortunes, reputa¬ 
tion, intelligence and manly unexceptionable deportment 
rendered him an object of universal esteem. To escape, 
as he used to remark, pity and curiosity, to counteract 
memory, and to gratify the natural activity of his mind, he 
retired to the French grant in Alabama, where he labored 
in the fields under the burning sun, with a reckless exer¬ 
tion which proved very injurious to his health and strength. 
His wife an amiable and accomplished woman remained 
behind in France to look over his interests there. He 
himself after having began his agricultural toil, never quit¬ 
ted it until his final departure, except to visit Washington 
on business. At length he addressed a petition to the 
French government praying to be allowed to return home. 
He received directions to proceed to Holland and there 
wait the final pleasure of the King. On his wav to Liver¬ 
pool he met a watery grave on the Irish coast. 

The following narrative of the event was given by Wil¬ 
liam Everhart, Esq. the only surviving cabin passenger. 

Mr Everhart says, that up to the 21st of April, the voy¬ 
age had been prosperous and pleasant for the season, 
though he had himself suffered much from sea-sickness, 
and was almost constantly confined to his room. The 
€torm of the day it was supposed, was over; they were 
near to the coast, and all hands flattered themselves that in 
a short time they should reach their destined harbor; but 


MR EVERHART’S DESCRIPTION. 


11 

about 9 o’clock in the evening a heavy sea sti *ck the ship, 
swept several seamen from the deck, carried away her 
masts, and stove in her hatchways, so that every wave 
which passed over her, ran into the hold without any thing 
to stop it,—the railings were carried away, and the wheel 
which aided them to steer. In short, that fatal wave left 
the Albion a wreck. She was then about 20 miles from 
the shore, and Capt. Williams steadily and coolly gave his 
orders ; he cheered the passengers and crew with the hope 
that the wind would shift, and before morning blow oil 
shore. The sea was very rough, and the vessel unmanage¬ 
able ; and the passengers were obliged to be tied to the 
pumps, that they might work them. All who could do no 
good on deck, retired below, but -the water was knee deep 
in the cabin, and the furniture floating about, rendered the 
situation dangerous and dreadful. 

All night long the wind blew a gale, directly on shore, 
towards which the Albion was drifting, at the rate of about 
three miles an hour. The complete hopelessness of their 
situation was known to few except Capt. Williams. The 
coast was familiar to him ; and he must have seen in des¬ 
pair and horror throughout the night, the certainty of 
their fate. At length the ocean, dashing and roaring upon 
the precipice of rocks, told them that their hour was come. 
( apt. Williams summoned all on deck, and briefly told 
them that the ship must soon strike; it was impossible to 
preserve her. Mr. Everhart says, that he was the last that 
left the cabin. Professor Fisher was behind, but he is 
confident that he never came on deck, but perished below. 
Some, particularly the females, expressed their terror in 
wild shrieks. Major Gough, of the British army, remarked, 
that ‘‘death, come as he would, was an unwelcome mes¬ 
senger, but that they must meet him like men.” Very 
little was said by the others; the men waited the expected 
shock ih silence. Gen. Lefebvre Desnouettes, during the 
voyage had evidently wished to remain without particular 
observation ; and to prevent his being known, besides tak¬ 
ing passage under a feigned name, had suffered his beard 
to grow during the whole voyage. He had the misfortune, 
before the ship struck, to be much bruised, and one of his 
arms was broken, which disabled him from exertion if it 


72 


WRECK OF THE SHIP 4.LI3ION. 


could have been ofany avail. It is not possible lo conceive the 
horrors of their situation. The deadly and relentless blast 
impelled them to destruction; the ship a wreck; the rag¬ 
ing of the billows against the precipice, on which they were 
driving; sending back from the caverns and the rocks, the 
hoarse and melancholy warnings of death, dark, cold and 
wet! In such a situation the stoutest heart must have 
quaked in utter despair. When there is a ray of hope, 
there may be a corresponding buoyance of spirit. When 
there is any thing to be done, the active man may drown 
the sense of danger while actively exerting himself; but 
here there was nothing to do but to die! Just at the grey 
of dawn the Albion struck. 

The perpendicular precipice of rocks is nearly two hun¬ 
dred feet in height; the sea beating for ages against it has 
worn large caverns in its base,, into which the waves rush¬ 
ed violently, sending back a deep and hollow sound, then 
running out in various directions, formed whirlpools of 
great violence. For a perch or two from the precipice, 
rocks rise out of the water, broad at bottom and sharp at 
top; on one of these the Albion first struck, the next wave 
threw her further on the rock, the third further still, until 
nearly balanced, she swung round, and her stern was 
driven against another, near in shore. In this situation, 
every wave making a complete breach over her, many were 
drowned oh deck. A woman, Mr. Everhart could not 
distinguish who, fell near him and cried for help. He left 
his hold and raised her up,—another wave came, but she 
was too far exhausted to sustain herself, and sunk on the 
deck. Fifteen or sixteen corpses, at one time Mr. Ever¬ 
hart thought, lay near the bows of the ship. 

Perceiving now that the stern was higher out of water, 
and the sea had less power in its sweep over it, Mr. Ever¬ 
hart went aft. He now perceived that the bottom had 
been broken out of the ship. The heavy articles must have 
sunk, and the cotton and lighter articles were floating 
around, dashed by every wave against the rocks. Pres¬ 
ently the ship broke in two, and all those who remained 
near the bow were lost. Several from the stern of the 
ship had got on the side of the precipice, and were hang¬ 
ing by the crags as well as they could. Although weak 


RELIEF FROM THE PEASANTS. 


73 


encd by previous sickness and present suffering. Mr. Ever 
hart made an effort and got upon the rock and stood upon 
one foot, the only hold that he could obtain. He saw 
seven* around him, and among the rest, Col. Prevost, who 
observed, on seeing him take his station, “ here is another 
poor fellow.” But the waves, rolling heavily against them, 
arid olten dashing the spray fifty feet above their heads, 
gradually swept those who had taken refuge one by one 
away ; and one poor fellow loosing his hold, grasped the 
leg of Mr. Everhart, and nearly pulled him from his place. 
Weak and sick as he was, Mr. Everhart stood several hours 
on one foot on a little crag, the billows dashing over him, 
and he benumbed with cold. 

As soon as it was light, and the tide ebbed so as to ren¬ 
der it possible, the people descended the rocks as far as 
they could, and dropped him a rope, which he fastened 
around his body and was drawn out to a place of safety. 
Of twenty three cabin passengers he alone escaped I Mr. 
Everhart mentions numerous instances of the kindness 
shewn by the people to the survivors. A sailor was drawn 
ashore naked, and one of the peasants, although a cold 
rain was falling, took the shirt from his own back, and put 
it on that of the sufferer. Mr. Everhart himself was taken 
to the hospitable mansion of Mr. James B. Gibbens, where 
he lay for several weeks exceedingly ill, receiving the kind¬ 
est attention. ‘‘They could not have treated me more 
tenderly,” said Mr. Everhart, “ if I had been a brother.” 

The attentions paid the survivors, were in the style of 
true Irish hospitality. Such disinterested kindness exalts 
the human character, and is calculated to have not a lim¬ 
ited effect, but will prove of national advantage. 

This terrible wreck and loss of lives, and on the part of 
Mr. Everhart, sucn a miraculous preservation, excited the 
public sensibility throughout Europe and America. When 
lie landed at Liverpool it was difficult for him to get along 
the streets, the people crowded around in such numbers to 
gee the only passenger saved from the wreck of the Albion. 


EXTRAORDINARY SUFFERINGS 


CAPTAIN W. L. CAZNEAU 



Ingenious Contrivance for freshening Salt JVatei. 

The brig Polly, of one hundred and thirty tons burthen, 
sailed from Boston, with a cargo of lumber and provisions, 
on a voyage to Santa Croix, on the 12th of December, 
1811, under the command of Captain W. L. Cazneau— 
with a mate, four seamen, and a cook ; Mr. J. S. Hunt 
and a negro girl of nine years of age, passer gers. Nothing 
material happened until the 15th, when they had cleared 
Cape Cod, the shoal of Georges, and nea /ly, as they sup¬ 
posed, crossed the Gulf Stream, when the e came on a vio¬ 
lent gale from the south-east, in which the brig laboured 
very hard; which produced a deak, that so gained on the 
pumps as to sound nearly six feet. When about midnight 
she was upset, and Mr. Hunt washed overboard ! Not 
having any hopes of her righting, by much exertion the 




















Cazneau baiting a shark with the Negro’s le 





















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































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** 


* 


r 












TIIE BRIG UPSET. 


77 


weather lanyards were cut away, the deck loac having 
been before thrown over, and the lashing all gone. In 
about half an hour the mainmast went by the board, and 
soon after the foremast—when she righted, though full of 
water, a dreadful sea making a fair breach over her from 
stem to stern. In this situation the night wore away, and 
daylight found all alive except the passenger; and, upon 
close search, the little girl was found clinging to the sky¬ 
light, and so saved from drowning in the cabin. The glass 
and grating of the skylight having gone away, while on her 
beam-ends, the little girl was drawn through the opening 
*—but so chilled, that she survived but a few hours. In 
this situation they remained, without fire, as near as the 
Captain can recollect, twelve days; when the cook, an In¬ 
dian from Canton, near Boston, suggested the operation of 
rubbing two sticks together—which succeeded. Very for¬ 
tunately, the camboose did not go overboard with the deck 
load. This was got to windward, a fire kindled, and some 
provisions cooked—which was the first they had tasted, ex¬ 
cept raw pork, for the whole time. They now got up a 
barrel of pork, part of a barrel of beef, and a half barrel of 
beef. A vsmall pig had been saved alive, which they now 
dressed, not having any thing to feed it with. But at this 
time no apprehension was entertained of suffering for 
meat, there being several barrels stowed in the run, and 
upwards of one hundred under deck. With this impres¬ 
sion, the people used the provisions very imprudently, till 
they discovered that the stern-post was gone; and the 
gale continuing for a long time, the barrels had stove, and 
their contents were lost for ever. 

There happened to be a cask of water lashed on the 
quarter-deck, which w r as saved, containing about thirty 
gallons—all the rest was lost. This lasted about eighteen 
days, when the crew were reduced to the necessity of 
catching what rain they could. At the end of forty days 
the meat was all gone, and absolute famine stared them in 
the face. The first victim to this destroyer was Mr. Pad 
dock, the mate, whose exquisite distress seemed to redouble 
the sufferings of his companions, lie w as a man of a ro¬ 
bust constitution, who had spent his life in the Bank fish¬ 
ing, had suffered many hardships, and appeared the most 


/8 EXTRAORDINARY SUFFERINGS OF CAZNEAU. 

capable of standing the shocks of misfortune of any of the 
crew. In the meridian of life, being about thirty-five years 
old, it was reasonable to suppose that, instead of the first, 
he would have been the last to have fallen a sacrifice to 
cold and hunger—but Heaven ordered it otherwise. He 
became delirious, and death relieved him from his suffer¬ 
ings the fiftieth day of his shipwreck. During all this time 
the storm continued, and would often overwhelm them so 
as to keep them always drenched with sea water, having 
nothing to screen them except a temporary kind of cabin, 
which they had built up of boards between the windlass 
and cat-head on the larboard side of the forecastle. The 
next who sunk under this horrid press of disasters was 
Howes, a young man of about thirty, who likewise was a 
fisherman by profession, tall, spare, and as active a seaman 
as any on board. He likewise died delirious, and in dread¬ 
ful distress, six days after Paddock, being the fifty-sixth 
day of the wreck. It was soon perceived that this must 
inevitably be the fate of all the survivors in a short time, if 
something were not done to procure water. About this 
» time they had the good luck to fish up the tea-kettle and 
one of the Captain’s pistols ; and necessity, the mother of 
invention, suggested the plan of distillation. Accordingly, 
a piece of board was nicely fitted to the mouth of the 
boiler, a small hole made in it, and the tea-kettle, bottom 
upwards, fixed to the upper side of the board. The pistol 
barrel was fixed to the nose of the kettle, and kept cool by 
the constant application of cold water. This completely 
succeeded, and the survivors, without a doubt, owe their 
preservation to this simple experiment. But all that could 
be obtained by this very imperfect distillation, was a scanty 
allowance of water for five men ; yet it would sustain life, 
and that was all. The impression that there was meat 
enough under the deck, induced them to use every exer¬ 
tion to obtain it; but by getting up pieces entirely bare of 
meat, and in a putrid state, they found that nothing was 
left for them but to rely on Heaven for food, and be con¬ 
tented with whatever came to hand, till relief should come. 
Their only sustenance now was barnacles gathered from 
the sides of the vessel, which were ate raw, that the distil¬ 
ling might not be interrupted, which would give them no 


THE COOK DIES. 


7U 


mote than four wine glasses of water each per day. The 
next food which they obtained was a large shark, caught 
bv means of a running bowline. This was a great relief, 
and lasted some time. Two advantages arose from this 
signal interposition of kind Providence; for while they 
lived upon their shark, the barnacles were growing larger 
and more nutritive. They likewise found many small 
crabs among the sea-weed, which often floated around the 
wreck, which were very pleasant food. But from the ne¬ 
cessity of chewing them raw, and sucking out the nourish¬ 
ment, they brought on an obstinate costiveness, which be¬ 
came extremely painful, and probably much exasperated 
by the want of water. 

On the 15th of March, according to their computation, 
poor Moho, the cook, expired, evidently from want of wa¬ 
ter, though with much less distress than the others, and in 
the full exercise of his reason. Tie very devoutly prayed, 
and appeared perfectly resigned to the will of God, who af¬ 
flicted him. Their constant study was directed to the im¬ 
provement of their still, which was made much better by 
the addition of the other pistol barrel, which was found by 
fishing with the grains they made by fixing nails into a 
piece of a stove. With this barrel they so far perfected 
the still, as to obtain eight junk bottles full of water in 
twenty-four hours. But from the death of Moho to the 
death of Johnson, which happened about the middle of 
April, they seemed to be denied every kind of food. The 
barnacles were all gone, and no friendly gale wafted to 
their side the sea-weed from which they could obtain crabs 
or insects. It seemed as if all hope was gone for ever, and 
they had nothing before them but death, or the horrid al¬ 
ternative of eating the flesh of their dead companions, 
une expedient was left, which was to try to decoy a shark, 
if happily there might be one about the wreck, by part of 
the corpse of their shipmate. This succeeded, and they 
caught a large shark; and from that time had many fish 
till their happy deliverance. Very fortunately, a cask of 
nails, which was on deck, lodged in the lee-scuppers while 
on their beam-ends. With these they were enabled to 
fasten the shingles on their cabin, which, by constant im¬ 
provement, had become much more commodious ; and 


80 


EXTRAORDINARY SUFFERINGS OF CAZNEA U . 


when reduced to two only, they had a better supp y ol 
water. 

They had now r drifted above two thousand miles, an#- 
were in latitude 28° north, and longitude 13° west, whet, 
to their inexpressible joy, they saw three ships bearing 
down upon them. The ships came as near as was conve¬ 
nient, and then hailed ; which Capta.n Cazneau answered 
with all the force of his lungs. The ship which hailed 
proved to be the Fame, of Hull, Captain Featherstone, 
bound from Rio Janeiro home. It so happened that the 
three Captains had dined together that day, and were all 
on board of the Fame. A boat was immediately sent, 
which put an end to the thraldom of Captain Cazneau and 
Samuel Badger, the only surviving persons, who were re¬ 
ceived by these humane Englishmen with exalted sensi¬ 
bility. Thus was ended the most shocking catastrophe 
which our naval history has recorded for many years, after 
a series of distresses from December 15th to the 20th ol 
June, a period of one hundred and ninety-one days ! Every 
attention was paid to the sufferers that generosity warmed 
with pity and fellow-feeling could dictate, on board the 
Fame. They were transferred from this ship to the brig 
Dromo, and arrived in the United States in safety. 

It is natural to inquire, how they could float such a vast 
distance upon the most frequented part of the Atlantic, 
and not be discovered all this time. They were passed by 
more than a dozen sail, one of which came so nigh them, 
that they could distinctly see the people on deck and on 
the rigging looking at them ; but, to the inexpressible dis¬ 
appointment of the starving and freezing men. they stifled 
the dictates of compassion, hoisted sail, and cruelh aban« 
doned them to their fate. 









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LOSS OF THE 


PACKET SHIP, LADY HOBART, 

On an Island of Ice , on the Grand Bank off 
Newfoundland . 


We sailed from Halifax on the 22d of June 1803, steer¬ 
ing a course to the southward and eastward, to clear Sable 
Island. On the 24th we hauled to the northward, to pass 
over the northern part of the Grand Bank off Newfound¬ 
land, intending to keep well to the northward, and by that 
means avoid the enemy’s cruisers. 

At seven in the morning of the 26th, being then on the 
Grand Bank, in latitude 44° 37' and longitude 51° 20' 
west, Cape Race bearing north-northwest half west, 120 
miles distant, we discovered a large schooner under French 
colors, standing towards us, with her deck full of men. 
We concluded, from her manner of bearing down, that she 
had been apprised of the war, and that she took us for a 
merchant brig; therefore we cleared our ship for action. 
At eight, being within range of our guns, we fired a shot 
at her, when she struck her colors, and we sent on board 
and took possession of the vessel. She proved to be 
PAimable Julie, of Port Liberte, of eighty tons burden, 
new, and strong built, and bound thither from Port St. 
Pierre. She was laden with salt fish, and commanded by 
Citizen Charles Rosse. 

After taking out the captain and crew of the prize, I 
gave her in charge to Lieutenants John Little and William 
Hughes of his majesty’s navy, who were passengers in the 
Lady Hobart, and most handsomely volunteered their 
services. Along with them I sent two of our own seamen, 
and two prisoners, o assist in navigating the prize. 

On Tuesday the 25th of June, it blew hard from the 






84 LOSS OF THE LADY HOBART PACKET 

westward, with a heavy sea and hazy weather, and thick 
fog at intervals. About one in the morning, the ship, then 
going at the rate of seven miles an hour by the log, struck 
against an island of ice, with such violence that several of 
the crew were pitched out of their hammocks. The sud¬ 
denness of the shock roused me from my sleep, and 1 
instantly ran upon deck. The helm being put hard a-port, 
the ship struck again about the chess-tree, and then swung 
round on her keel, her stern-post being stove in, and her 
rudder carried away, before we could succeed in our 
attempts to haul her off. 

At this time the island of ice appeared to hang quite 
over the ship, forming a high peak, which must have been 
at least twice the height of our mast-head; and the length 
of the island was supposed to be from a quarter to half a 
mile. 

The sea was now breaking over the ice in a dreadful 
manner, and the water rushing in so fast as to fill the 
ship’s hold in a few minutes: we hove the guns overboard, 
cut away the anchors from the bows, and got two sails 
under her bottom. Both pumps were kept going, and we 
continued baling with buckets from the main-hatchway, 
in hopes of preventing the ship from sinking. But, in 
less than a quarter of an hour, she settled down to her 
fore-chains in the water. 

Our situation was now become most perilous. Aware 
of the danger of a moment’s delay in hoisting out the 
boats, I consulted Captain Thomas, of the navy, and Mr. 
Bargus, my master, as to the propriety of making any 
further efforts to save the ship; and, as I was anxious to 
preserve the mail, I requested their opinion as to the pos¬ 
sibility of taking it into the boats, in the event of our 
being able to get them over the ship’s side. These gen¬ 
tlemen agreed with me that no time was to be lost in 
hoisting out the boats; and that, as the vessel was then 
settling fast, our first and only consideration was to en¬ 
deavor to preserve the crew: And here I must pay that 
tribute of praise which the steady discipline and good con¬ 
duct of every one on board so justly merit. From the first 
moment of the ship’s striking not a word was uttered 
expressive of a desire ti > leave the wreck ; my orders were 


nOISTlNG OL’T THE CUTTER. 


S5 

promptly obeyed, and, though the danger of perishing 
was every instant increasing, each man waited his own 
turn to get into the boats, with a coolness and composure 
that could not be surpassed. 

Having fortunately succeeded in hoisting out the cutter 
and jolly-boat, the sea then running high, we placed the 
iadies, three in number, in the former. One of them, 
Miss Cotenham, was so terrified, that she sprung from the 
gunwale, and pitched into the bottom of the boat with 
considerable violence. This, which might have been an 
accident productive of fatal consequences to herself, os 
well as to us all, was unattended by any bad effect. The 
few provisions which had been saved from the men’s berths 
were then put into the boats, which were quickly veered 
a-stern. 

By this time the main-deck forward was under water, 
and nothing but the quarter-deck appeared. 1 next 
ordered the men into the boats, and, having previously 
lashed iron pigs of ballast to the mail, it was thrown over¬ 
board. 

I now perceived that the ship was sinking fast. Intend¬ 
ing to drop myself from the end of the try-sail-boom into 
the cutter, buUapprehensive that she might be stove under 
the counter, I called out to the men to haul up and 
receive me; and I desired Mr. Bargus, who continued 
with me in the wreck, to go over first. He replied, that 
in this instance he begged leave to disobey my orders, that 
he must see me safe over before he attempted to go him¬ 
self. Such conduct, and at such a moment, requires no 
comment; but I should be wanting to myself and to the 
service, if I did not state every circumstance, however 
trifling; and it is highly satisfactory to have this opportu¬ 
nity of recording an incident so honorable to a meritorious 
officer. 

At the time we hoisted out the boats, the sea was run¬ 
ning so high that I scarcely flattered myself we should get 
them over in safety, and indeed nothing but the steady 
and orderly conduct of the crew could have enabled us to 
accomplish so difficult and hazardous an undertaking ; and 
it is only justice to them to observe, that not a man in the 
ship attempted to make use of the liquor, which every one 


36 


LOSS OF THE LADY HOBART PACKET. 


had in liis power. While the cutter was getting out, I 
perceived John Tipper, one of the seamen, emptying a 
live gallon bottle, and on inquiry, found it to be of rum 
He said that he was doing so for the purpose of filling it 
vith water from the scuttle-cask on the quarter-deck, 
vhich had generally been filled over night, and which 
was then the only fresh water that could be got at. It 
afterwards became our principal supply. This circum¬ 
stance I relate as being so highly creditable to the char¬ 
acter of a British sailor. 

We had scarce quitted the ship, when she gave a heavy 
lurch to port, and then went down head foremost. 1 had 
ordered the colors to be hoisted at the main top-gallant 
mast head with the union downwards, as a signal of dis¬ 
tress, that if any vessel should happen to be near us at the 
dawn of day, our calamitous situation might attract obser 
vation from her, and relief be afforded us. 

I cannot attempt to describe my own feelings, or the 
sensations of my people. Exposed as we were, in two 
open boats, on the great Atlantic Ocean; bereft of al 
assistance but that which our own exertions under Provi¬ 
dence could afford us, we narrowly escaped being swal¬ 
lowed up in the vortex. Men accustomed to vicissitudes 
are not easily dejected, but there are trials which human 
nature alone cannot surmount. The consciousness of 
having done our duty, and reliance on a good Providence, 
enabled us to endure the calamity that had befallen us, 
and we animated each other with the hope of a better 
fate. 

While we were employed in deliberating concerning 
our future arrangements, a singular incident occurred, 
which occasioned considerable uneasiness among us. At 
the moment the ship was sinking, she was surrounded by 
what seamen call a school, or an incalculable number of 
whales, which can only be accounted for, by our knowing 
that at this particular season, they take a direction for the 
coast of Newfoundland in quest of a small fish called 
capelard, which they devour. From their near approach, 
we were extremely apprehensive that they might strike 
the boats and materially damage them; frequent instances 
having occurred in the fishery, of boats being cut in tw'ain 


DISTRIBUTION OF THE CREW. 


8- 


bv the force of a single blow from a whale. We there¬ 
fore shouted and used every effort to drive them away, 
but without effect; they continued, as it then seemed, to 
pursue us, and remained about the boats for half an hour, 
when, thank God ! they disappeared without having done 
us any injury. 



The Boats surrounded and endangered by a School of Whales. 


An hour scarcely elapsed from the time the ship struck 
until she foundered. The crew were already distributee 
in the following order, which was afterwards preserved. 
In the cutter, which was twenty feet long, six feet four 
inches broad, and two feet six inches deep, were embarked 
three ladies and myself; Captain Richard Thomas of the 
navy ; the French commander of the schooner ; the mas¬ 
ter’s mate, gunner, steward, carpenter, and eight seamen, 
n all eighteen people. These, together with the provis¬ 
ions, brought the boat’s gunwale down to within six or 






88 


LOSS Oh' THE LADY HOBART PACKET 


seven inches of the water. Some idea of our crowded 
state may be formed from this ; but it is scarcely possible 
for the imagination to conceive the extent of our sufferings 
in consequence of it. 

In the jolly-boat, which was fourteen feet from stem to 
stern, five feet three inches broad, and two feet deep, were 
embarked Mr. Samuel Bargus, master ; Lieutenant-Colo¬ 
nel George Cook of the first regiment <;f guards ; the 
boatswain, sailmaker, and seven seamen ; in all eleven 
persons. 

The only provisions which we were able to save, con¬ 
sisted of between forty and fifty pounds of biscuit, a vessel 
containing five gallons of water, as, also a small jug, and 
part of a barrel of spruce-beer, one five-gallon vessel of 
rum, a few bottles of port wine, with two compasses, a 
quadrant, a spy-glass, and a small tin mug. The deck- 
lantern, which had a few spare candies in it, had likewise 
been thrown into the boat; and the cook having had the 
precaution to secure his tinder-box and some matches that 
were kept in a bladder, we were enabled to steer by 
night. 

The wind was now blowing strong from the westward, 
with a heavy sea, and the day had just dawned. Estima¬ 
ting ourselves 350 miles distant from St John’s in New¬ 
foundland, with the prospect of westerly winds continuing, 
T found it necessary at once to use the strictest economy. 
This I represented to my companions in distress, that our 
resolution, when adopted,, should on no account be 
changed, and that we should begin by suffering privations, 
which, I foresaw, would be greater than I ventured to 
explain. To each person, therefore, were served out half 
a biscuit and a glass of wine, which was the only allowance 
for the ensuing twenty-four hours; we all agreed to leave 
the water untouched as long as possible. 

Soon after daylight we made sail with the jolly-boat in 
tow, and stood close hauled to the northward and west¬ 
ward, in hopes of reaching the coast of Newfoundland, or 
of being picked up by some vessel. We passed two 
islands of ice nearly as large as the first; and now said 
prayers, and returned thanks to God for our deliverance. 
At noon we made an observation, in latitude 46° 33’ 


rUT ON ALLOWANCE. 


89 


north, St John's bearing west, three quarters north, dis¬ 
tant 350 miles. 

Wednesday the 29th of June was ushered in with light 
variable winds from the southward and eastward. We 
had passed a long and sleepless night, and I found myself, 
at dawn of day, with twenty-eight persons, anxiously look¬ 
ing up to me for the direction of our course, as well as for 
the distribution of their scanty allowance. On examining 
our provisions we found the bug of biscuit much damaged 
by salt water, on which account it became necessary to 
curtail the allowance. All cheerfully acquiesced in this 
precaution. 

A thick fog soon after came on ; it continued during 
the day with heavy rain, which, now being destitute of 
any means of collecting, afforded us no relief. Our 
crowded and exposed condition was rendered more dis¬ 
tressing from being thoroughly wet, as no one had been 
permitted to take more than a great coat or a blanket, 
with the clothes on his back. 

The oars of both boats were kept constantly going, and 
we steered a N. N. W. course.—All hands were anxiously 
looking out for a strange sail. At noon, a quarter of a 
biscuit and a glass of rum were served to each person. 
St. John’s bore *310 miles distant, but we made no obser¬ 
vation. One of the ladies again read prayers to us, par¬ 
ticularly those for delivery after a storm, and those for 
safety at sea. 

Next morning we were all so benumbed with wet and 
extreme cold, at day-break, that half a glass of rum and a 
mouthful of biscuit were served out to each person. The 
ladies, who had hitherto refused the spirits, were now 
prevailed upon to take the stated allowance, which afforded 
them immediate relief, and enabled them the better to 
resist the severity of the weather. The sea was mostly 
calm, with thick fog and sleet; the air raw and cold. 
\V r e had kept at our oars all night, and we continued to 
row the whole of this day. The jolly-boat having unfor¬ 
tunately put off from the ship, with only three oars, and 
having but a small sail converted into a foresail, frrm a 
top-gallant steering-sad, without needles or twine, we 
were obliged to keep her constantly in tow. r J he cutter 


90 


LOSS OF THE LADY HOBART PACKET. 


also having lost two of her oars in hoisting out, was now 
so deep in the water, that with the least sea she made but 
little way, so that we were not enabled to profit much by 
the light winds. 

Friday, 1st July. During the greater part of the last 
twenty-four hours, it blew a hard gale of wind from 
W. S. W. with a heavy confused sea from the same quar¬ 
ter. Throughout there were thick fog and sleet, and the 
weather excessively cold ; and the spray of the sea freezing 
as it flew over the boats, rendered our situation truly de¬ 
plorable. At this time we all felt a most painful depres¬ 
sion of spirits;—the want of nourishment, added to the 
continued cold and wet, had rendered us almost incapable 
of exertion. The very confined space in the boat, would 
not admit of our stretching our limbs; and several of the 
men, whose feet were considerably swelled, repeatedly 
called out for water. But on my reminding them of the 
resolution we had made, and of the absolute necessity of 
persevering in it, they acknowledged the justice and pro¬ 
priety of my refusal to comply with their desire; and the 
water remained untouched. 

We stood to the northward and westward at the com¬ 
mencement of the gale ; but the cutter was so low in the 
water, and had shipped so much sea, that we were obliged 
to cast off the jolly-boat tow-rope; and we very soon lost 
sight of her in the fog. 

C> o 

In the course of this day, there were repeated exclama¬ 
tions of a strange sail, although I knew that it was next to 
an impossibility to discover any thing, owing to the thick¬ 
ness of the fog. Yet these exclamations escaped from the 
several seamen, with such apparent certainty of the object 
being there, that I was induced to put the boat before the 
wind to convince them of their error. As I then saw, in 
a very strong point of view, the consequences of such 
deviation, I took occasion to remonstrate with them on 
the subject. I represented, with all the persuasion of 
which I was capable, that the depression arising from dis¬ 
appointment infinitely overbalanced the momentary relief 
proceeding from such delusive expectation, and exhorted 
them not to allow such fancies to break out into expres¬ 
sion. Under all these circumstances, the ladies, with 


A SAIL DISCOVERED. 


91 


a heroism which no words can describe, particularly 
allorded to us the best examples of patience and fortitude. 

Joining in prayer tranquilized our minds, and inspired 
the consolatory hope of bettering our condition. On such 
occasions we were all bare-headed, notwithstanding the 
incessant showers. 

At half past eleven in the forenoon, a sail standing to 
the north-west, was discovered in the eastward. Our joy 
at such a sight, with the immediate hope of deliverance, 
gave us all new life. I immediately ordered the people to 
sit as close as possible, to prevent our having the appear¬ 
ance of an. armed boat, and having tied a lady’s shawl to 
the boat-hook, I raised myself as well as I could, and from 
the bow waved it as long as my strength would allow me. 
Having hauled close to the wind, we neared each other 
fast, and in less than a quarter of an hour, we perceived 
the jolly-boat. 

The cold, wet, and hunger, which we experienced the 
following day are not to be described; they rendered our 
condition very deplorable. At eight in the evening, hav¬ 
ing a strong breeze from the southward, we stood on 
under all the canvass we could spread, the jolly-boat fol¬ 
lowing in our wake, and rowing to keep up with us. 

The French captain, who for some days had labored 
under despondency, admitting of no consolation, leapt 
overboard in a fit of delirium, and instantly sunk. The 
cutter was at this time going so fast through the water, 
and the oars being lashed to the gunwale, it would have 
been impossible to save him even had he floated. One of 
the other prisoners in the jolly-boat became so outrageous, 
that it was necessary to tie him to the bottom of the boat. 

The melancholy fate of the poor captain, whom I had 
learnt to esteem, perhaps affected me at first more sensibly 
than any other person; for on the day of our disaster, 
when I was making the distribution in the boats, and 
considering in which I was to place him, he caine to me, 
with tears in his eyes, imploring me not to leave him to 
perish with the wreck I assured him that I had never 
entertained such an idea ; that as I had been the acciden¬ 
tal cause of his misfortunes, I should endeavor to make 
his situation as easy as I could, and that ns we were all 


92 


LOSS OF THE LADY HOBART PACKET 


exposed to the same danger, we should survive or perish 
together. This assurance, and the hope of being speedily 
exchanged, if ever we reached the land, operated for a 
while in quieting his mind; but fortitude soon forsook 
him, and the raw spirits, to which he had not been accus 
tomed, producing the most dreadful intoxicating effects, 
hurried on the fatal catastrophe. 

The sea continued to break so much over the boats 
that those who had strength enough were obliged to bail 



Interesting Incident—A Bird hovering over the Mast Head of the Cutter 

without intermission. Those who sat in the stern of the 
cutter were so confined, that it was difficult for any one 
to put his hand into his pocket; and the greater pait of 
the crew lay in water in the bottom of the boat. 

The next day a very heavy gale arose from the soutn- 








































YIJXCK FOO. 


93 


ward, accompanied with so tremendous a sea, tiiat the 
greatest vigilance was necessary in managing the helm, 
for the boats would have broached to from the slightest 
deviation, and occasioned our inevitable destruction. We 
scudded before the wind, expecting every returning wave 
to overwhelm us; but through the providence of God, we 
weathered the storm, which, towards night, began to 
abate. 

Towards evening, we passed several pieces of rock-weed, 
and soon after Captain Thomas saw the wing of a hack- 
down, an aquatic bird frequenting the coast of Newfound- 
! and, which is often ate by the fishermen. This afforded 
us great hopes of our approaching the land, and all hands 
were eagerly occupied in observing what passed the boats. 
About this time a beautiful white bird, web-footed, and 
not unlike a dove in size and plumage, hovered over the 
mast-head of the cutter ; and notwithstanding the pitching 
of the boat frequently attempted to perch on it, and con¬ 
tinued lluttering there until dark. Trifling as such an 
incident may appear, we all considered it a propitious 
omen. 

The impressive manner in which the bird left us, and 
then returned to gladden us with its presence, awakened 
that superstition in our minds to which sailors are at all 
times said to be prone. We indulged ourselves with the 
most consolatory assurances, that the same hand which 
had provided this solace to our distresses, would extricate 
us from the surrounding dangers. 

We had been six days and nights constantly wet and 
cold, and without any other sustenance than a quarter of 
a biscuit, and one wine-glass of liquid for twenty-four 
hours. The men that had appeared totally indifferent 
respecting their fate, now summoned up resolution, and 
as many as were capable of moving from the bottom of 
the boats, betook themselves to the oars. 

As the morning of Monday dawned, the fog became so 
thick that we could not see very far from the boat. 
During the night we had been under the necessity of cast¬ 
ing olf the jolly-boat’s tow-rope to induce her crew to 
exert themselves by rowing. We again lost sight of her, 
and 1 perceived that this unlucky accident was beginning 


94 LOSS OF THE LADY HOKAKT PACKET. 

to excite great uneasiness among us. We were at thm 
period so much reduced, that the most trifling remark or 
exclamation agitated us very much. I therefore found it 
necessary to caution the people against being deceived by 
the appearance of land, or calling out until we were quite 
convinced of its reality, more especially as fog banks are 
often mistaken for land. Several of the poor fellows, 
nevertheless, repeatedly exclaimed they heard breakers, 
and some the firing of guns; and, to own the truth, the 
sounds we did hear bore such a resemblance to the latter, 
that I concluded some vessels had got on shore and were 
making signals of distress. The noise afterwards proved 
to be the blowing of whales, of which we saw a great 
number. 

Soon after daylight the sun rose in view, for the second 
time since we quitted the wreck. It is worthy of remark, 
that, during the period of seven days, that we were in the 
boats, we never had an opportunity of taking an observa¬ 
tion, either of the sun, moon, or stars; neither could we 
once dry our clothes. The fog at length beginning to 
dispel, we instantly caught a glimpse of the land, within 
a mile’s distance, between Kettle Cove and Island Cove, 
in Conception Bay, fourteen leagues from the harbor of 
St. John’s. Almost at the samg instant, we had the 
inexpressible satisfaction of discovering the jolly-boat and 
a schooner near the shore standing oft' towards us. 

I wish that it were possible for me to describe our sen¬ 
sations at this interesting moment. From the constant 
watching and fatigue, and also from the languor and de¬ 
pression produced by our exhausted state, such accumu¬ 
lated irritability was brought on, that the joy at a speedy 
relief affected us all in a most remarkable way. Many 
burst into tears ; some looked at each other with a stupid 
stare, as if doubtful of the reality of what they saw, while 
several were in such a lethargic condition, that no conso¬ 
lation, no animating words, could rouse them to exertion 

At this affecting period, though overpowered by my 
own feelings, and impressed witlr the recollection of our 
sufferings, and the sight of so many deplorable objects, I 
proposed offering up our solemn thanks to Heaven for the 
miraculous deliverance. Every one cheerfully assented 


RESCUED AT LAST. 


95 


As soon as I opened the prayer-book, which I had sec urea 
the last time I went down to my cabin, universal silence 
prevailed. A spirit of devotion was so singularly manifest¬ 
ed on this occasion, that, to the benefits of a sense of 
religion in uncultivated minds, must be ascribed that dis¬ 
cipline, good order, and exertion, which even the sight of 
land could scarcely produce. 

The schooner being within hail, and our situation being 
made known, she hove to and received us on board, and 
our boats were taken in tow. The men could now, with 
difficulty, be restrained from taking large and repealed 
draughts of water, in consequence of which several felt 
great inconvenience from the sudden distension of the 
stomach; but, by preserving greater caution afterwards, 
no other sinister effects ensued. 

It was most fortunate that we fell in with the land 
about Island Cove. A very few miles to the northward 
the coast is inaccessible, and lined with dangerous reefs 
of rocks, which we should have pushed for in the night, 
had we seen them. Our situation had become so desper¬ 
ate, that I had resolved to land at the first place we could 
make, and in that case we must all have perished. 

The different fishing-huts were constructed of pine logs. 
The three ladies, Colonel Cooke, Captain Thomas, the 
master, and myself, were conducted to the house of Mr. 
Lilly, a planter, who received us with great attention and 
humanity. This small village afforded neither medical 
aid nor fresh provisions, both of which we so much 
required, potatoes and salt fish being the only food of the 
inhabitants. I therefore resolved to lose no time in pio- 
ceeding to St. John’s, and hired a small schooner for tha< 
purpose. 




LOSS OF THE 


I1ALSEWELL EAST INDIAMAN, 

On the Coast of England 


The catastrophe which is now about to be related made 
a deep impression on the public mind. The circumstan¬ 
ces attending it were too aggravating not to excite the 
highest degree of commiseration, whether from the flatter¬ 
ing prospects held forth in the outset of the voyage, or 
from a peculiar feeling towards the condition of the suf¬ 
ferers. This ship was commanded by Captain Richard 
Pierce, an old and experienced officer; who, to profession¬ 
al merit, added the higher distinctions of moral excellence 
in whatever view he was placed. She was bound for 
coast and bay, and was in every respect a complete ves¬ 
sel for the nature of her destination. 

On the 16th of November, 1785, she fell down to Graves¬ 
end, where she completed her lading; and having taken 
the passengers on board, among whom were several young 
.adies, and two of them daughters of the captain, she sailed 
through the Downs on the 1st of January, 1786; and next 
morning, being abreast of Dunnose, a fallacious calm com¬ 
menced. 

Next day, in the afternoon, a breeze sprang up from the 
south; and thick weather setting in towards evening, they 
were obliged to come to an anchor. Early next morning a 
strong gale came on, and the ship driving towards shore,* 
they found themselves under the necessity of cutting the 
cables, and running off* to sea. At noon they bore down 
he Channel. About ten at night it blew a violent gale o S 




































































































. 



































♦ 
























































- 










• . V ** 














Ml ZEN MAST CUT AWAY. 


99 


wind at south, and they were obliged to carry a press of 
sail to keep the ship off shore. 

Soon after they shipped a large quantity of water on the 
gun-deck; and on sounding the well, found the ship had 
sprung a leak, and had already five feet of water in her 
hold ; on which all the pumps were set to work. 

On Wednesday, the fourth, at two in the morning, they 
endeavored to wear the ship without success; on which it 
was judged expedient for her preservation, to cut away the 
mizen-mast, and after that the main-mast ; on which oc¬ 
casion five men were drowned. 

The leak at this time was gaining fast on the pumps; 
but by ten o’clock the water was got somewhat under by 
constant exertion, and the wind considerably abated. The 
ship however labored extremely, and began to be much 
disabled. Soon after, the weather clearing up, the. Berry 
Head was distinguishable, about four or five leagues dis¬ 
tance; and having erected jury-masts, they bore up for 
Portsmouth. 

Early in the morning of the fifth, the wind blew fresh 
from the south, and the weather was very thick. At noon 
Portland bore north by east, distant two or three leagues. 
In the evening a strong gale set in, when the Portland 
lights were seen bearing north-west, at the distance of four 
or five leagues, on which they wore ship, and got her head 
to the westward; but finding they were losing ground on 
that tack, they kept stretching on to the eastward, in hopes 
of weathering Peverel Point, and reaching Studland Bay. 

At eleven at night it became clear, when they saw St. 
Alban’s Head at less than two miles to the leeward of them; 
when they took in sail immediately, and let go the small 
bower anchor, and after that the sheet anchor; but in a 
short time after each expedient the ship drove again. 

In this alarming situation the captain sent for Mr. Henry 
Meriton, the second mate, in whom it seems he placed 
great confidence, and asked his opinion as to the probability 
of saving their lives; to which he replied, with all the 
composure that could be expected under such alarming 
circumstances, that he feared there was little hope, as they 
were driving fast on the shore, and might expect every mo¬ 
ment to strike. It was agreed that the boats at that time 


1 JO LOSS OF THE HALS EWELL . PTOIAMAHT* 

could be of no use; but in case an opportunity should pre¬ 
sent of rendering them serviceable, it was proposed that 
the officers should be confidentially requested to rese&ve 
the long-boat for the use of the ladies and themselves, 
which precaution was immediately taken. The ship still 
driving and approaching to the shore, about two in the 
morning of the 6th, the fatal day, Mr. Meriton had another 
conference with the captain, who expressed extreme anxiety 
for the preservation of his beloved daughters, and earnestly 
asked the mate if he could devise any means of saving 
them. On his expressing his concern, that he feared it 
ivoul 1 l>e impossible, and that their only chance would be 
to wait till morning, the captain lifted up his hands in silent 
itgon zing ejaculation. 

At this dreadful moment the ship struck with such vio- 
e ice,, as to dash the heads of those who were standing in 
•<! e cuddy, against the deck above them; and the fatal 
N ow was accompanied by a shriek of horror, which burst 

one instant from every quarter of the ship. The sea- 
i- en, many of whom had been remarkably inattentive and 
f miss in their duty during a great part of the storm, and 
al actually skulked in their hammocks, and left the exer- 
ms of the pumps, and the other labours attending their 
tuation, to the officers of the ship and the soldiers, roused 
I ' the tremendous blow to a sense of their danger, now 
I vnred upon the deck, to which no endeavours of their of- 
i ers could keep them whilst their assistance might have 
been useful; and, in frantic exclamations, demanded of 
heaven and their fellow sufferers, that succour, which their 
ti iiely efforts might probably have succeeded in procuring. 
Ivut it was now too late. The ship continued beating on 
th) rocks, and soon bilged, and fell with her broadside to- 
m rds the shore. When she struck, a number of men 
fife nbed up the ensign staff, under the apprehension of her 
g v ng to pieces immediately. 

Vlr. Meriton, at this .crisis of horror, offered to these urr- 
h . «py beings the last advice in his power. He recom- 
w* uded their coming all to that, side of the ship which lay 
lo est on the rocks, and singly to take the oppoitunities 
w> ch might then offer of escaping to the shore. And thus 
ha ing attended to the safety of the desponding crew, he 


HORRID CAVERN. 


101 


returned to the round-house, where, by this time, al. the 
passengers and most of the officers had asiembled ; the lat¬ 
ter employed in offering consolation to the unfortunate la¬ 
dies, and, with unparalleled magnanimity, suffering their 
compassion for the fair and amiable companions of their 
misfortunes, to get the better of their sense of their own 
danger, and the dread of most inevitable death. At this 
moment what must be the feelings of a father—of such a 
father as Captain Pierce ! 

In this humane work of offering comfort to the fair suf¬ 
ferers, Mr. Meriton now joined, by assurances of opinion, 
that the ship would hold together till morning, when they 
would all be safe; and Captain Pierce observing one of 
the young gentlemen loud in his expressions of terror, and 
hearing him frequently exclaim, that the ship was going to 
pieces, with an appearance of composure bade him hold his 
peace, observing to him, that though the ship should go to 
pieces, he would not but be safe enough. 

It will now be necessary to describe the situation of the 
place which proved fatal to so many lives, to convey a 
more correct idea of the melancholy, the deplorable scene. 

The ship struck on the rocks at or near Seacombe, on 
the island of Purbeek, between Peverel Point and St. Al¬ 
ban's Head, at a part of the shore where the cliff is of vast 
height, and rises almost perpendicularly from its base. 

Hut at this particular spot, the cliff is excavated at the 
bottom, and presents a cavern of ten or twelve yards in 
depth, and of breadth equal to the length of a large ship, 
the sides of the cavern so nearly upright as to be extremely 
difficult of access ; the roof formed of the stupendous cliff, 
and the bottom strewed with sharp and uneven rocks, 
which seem to have been rent from above. 

It was at the mouth of this cavern that the unfortunate 
wreck lay stretched, offering her broadside to the horrid 
chasm; but at the time the ship struck, it was too dark to 
discover the extent of their danger, and the extreme horror 
of their situation. 

In addition to the company, already in the round-house, 
they had admitted three black women aud two soldiers* 
wives, so that the numbers there were now increased to 
near fifty ; Captain Pierce sitting on a chair, cot, or some 
9 * 


102 


LOSS OF THE HALSEWELL INDIAMAN, 


other moveable, with a daughter on each side of him, each 
of whom he alternately pressed to his bosom. The rest ol 
the melancholy group were seated on the deck, which was 
strewed with musical instruments, and the wreck of furni 
ture, trunks, boxes, and packages. 



Captain Pierce in the Round-house with his Daughters. 

And here also Mr. Meriton, having cut several wax can 
dies into pieces, and stuck them up in various parts of the 
round-house, and lighted up ail the glass lanthorns he 
could find, took his seat, intending to wait the happy dawn, 
that might present to him the means of effecting his own 
escape, and afford him an opportunity of giving assistance 
to the partners of his danger. But observing that the un¬ 
happy females appeared parched and exhausted, he fetched 
a basket of oranges from some part of the round-house, and 
prevailed on some of them to refresh themselves by suck 













SHIP GOING TO PIECES. 


103 

mg a little juice. At this time they were, in general, toler¬ 
ably composed, trusting to the delusion of hope, which hu¬ 
manity had painted in brighter colours than reason would 
justify. 

On Mr. Menton’s return to the company, he perceived 
a considerable alteration in the appearance of the ship. 
The sides were visibly giving way, the deck seemed to be 
lifting, and he discovered other strong symptoms that she 
could not hold together much longer. He therefore at 
tempted to go forward to look out; but immediately saw 
that the ship was separated in the middle, and that the 
fore part had changed its position, and lay rather farther 



Mr. Meriton endeavoring to reach the Shore by a Spar. 


out towards the sea. In this awful crisis, when the next 
moment might be charged with his fate, he determined to 
seize the present, and to follow the example of the crew 
and the soldiers, who were now quitting the 'ship in num¬ 
bers, and making their way to a shore, of which they knew 
not yet the horrors. 

Among other measures adopted to favor these attempts 







104 LOSS OF THE HALSEWELL INDIAUAN. 

the ensign staff had been unshipped, and attempted to 
laid from the ship’s side to some of the rocks, but without 
success; for it snapped to pieces before it reached them. 
However, by the light of a lantnorn, which a seaman ol the 
name of Burmaster handed through the sky-light of the 
round-house to the deck, Mr. Meriton discovered a spar, 
which appeared to be laid from the ship’s side to the rocks f 
and on this spar he determined to attempt his escape. He 
soon found, however, that the spar had no communication 
with the rock. He reached to the end of it, and then 
slipped oft', receiving a very violent bruise in his fall; and 
before he could recover his legs, he was washed off by the 
surge, in which he supported himself by swimming, till the 
returning wave dashed him against the back part of the 
cavern, where he laid hold of a small projecting piece of 
the rock; but was so benumbed, that he was on the point 
of quitting it, when a seaman, who had already gained a 
footing, extended his hand, and assisted him till he could 
secure himself on a little shelf of the rock, from which he 
clambered still higher, till he was out of the reach of the 
surf. 

Mr. Rodgers, the third mate, remained with the captain 
and the unfortunate ladies and their companions, nearly 
twenty minutes after Mr. Meriton had quitted the ship; 
and from him the following particulars were collected. 

As Mr. Meriton’s escape was unknown, when he was 
missed they thought he was drowned, and expressed the 
most feeling concern for his loss. At this time the sea was 
breaking in at the fore part of the ship, and had reached 
as far as the main-mast, when Captain Pieice gave Mr. 
Rodgers a nod ; and they took a lamp and went together 
into the stern galley ; and after viewing the rocks for some 
time, the captain asked Mr. Rodgers, if he thought there 
was a possibility of saving the girls; to which he replied, 
he feared there was not; for they could only discover the 
black face of the perpendicular rock, and not the cavern 
which afforded shelter to those who had escaped. They 
then returned to the round-house, and Mr. Rodgers hung 
up the lamp; and Captain Pierce, with his great coat on, 
sat down between his two daughters, and struggled to re¬ 
press the parental tear which then filled his eye. 


PEUILS IS THE CASERN. 


105 


The sea continuing to break in very fast, Mi. M’ Manus, 
a midshipman, and Mr. Shutz, a passenger, asked Mr. 
Rodgers what they could do to escape; who replied, “ Fol¬ 
low meand then they all went into the stern galley, and 
from thence, by the weather upper quarter galley, upon 
the poop. Whilst they were there, a very heavy sea fell 
on board; and the round-house giving way, he heard the 
ladies shriek at intervals, as if the water had reached them, 
the noise of the sea at other times drowning their 
voices. 

Mr. Brimer, the fifth mate, had followed Mr. Rodgers to 
the poop, where they had remained together about five 
minutes, when, on the coming of the last mentioned sea, 
they jointly seized a hen-coop; and the same wave which 
he apprehended proved fatal to some of those who remained 
below, happily carried him and his companion to the rock, 
on which they were dashed with such violence, as to be 
miserably bruised and hurt. 

On this rock were twenty-seven men ; but as it was low 
water, and they were convinced that, upon the flowing of 
the tide, they must all be washed off, many of them at¬ 
tempted to get to the back and sides of the cavern, out of 
the reach of the returning sea. In this attempt scarcely 
more than six, besides himself and Mr. Brimer, succeeded. 
Of the remainder, some shared the fate which they ap¬ 
prehended, and the others perished in their efforts to get 
into the cavern. 

Mr. Rodgers and Mr. Brimer both, however, reached the 
cavern, and scrambled up the rock, on narrow shelves of 
which they fixed themselves 

Mr. Rodgers got so near to his friend as to exchange 
congratulations with him ; but he was prevented from join¬ 
ing him by at least twenty men who were between them, 
not one of whom could move without immediate peril of 
his life. At the time Mr. Rodgers reached his station of 
possible safety, his strength was so nearly exhausted, that, 
had the struggle continued a few minutes longer, he must 
have been inevitably lost. 

They now found that a very considerable number of the 
crew, seamen, soldiers, and some petty officers, were in 
the same condition with themselves; though many who 


106 LOSS OF TlfE HALSEWELL INDIAMAN. 

had reached the rocks below, had perished in attempting 
to ascend. What that situation was they had yet to learn. 
At present they had escaped immediate death ; but they 
were yet to encounter cold, nakedness, wind, rain, and the 
perpetual beating of the spray of the sea, for a difficult, 
precarious, and doubtful chance of escape. 

They could yet discern some part of the ship, and so¬ 
laced themselves, in their dreary stations, with the hope 
of its remaining entire till daybreak ; for in the midst of 
their own misfortunes, the sufferings of the females in par¬ 
ticular affected them with the most acute anguish ; and 
every sea that broke brought with it terror for the fate of 
those amiable and helpless beings. 

But, alas ! their apprehensions were soon realized. In a 
very few minutes after Mr. Rodgers gained the rock, a 
universal shriek, in which the voice of female distress was 
lamentably distinguishable, announced the dreadful catas¬ 
trophe. In a few moments all was hushed, except the 
warring winds and beating waves. The wreck was buried 
in the remorseless deep, and not an atom of her was ever 
after seen. 

Thus perished the Halsewell; and with her worth, 
honor, skill, beauty, and bright accomplishments, found a 
watery grave. 

What sensations must this dreadful, this tremendous 
blow have excited in the yet trembling, and scarcely half- 
saved wretches, who W'ere hanging about the sides of the 
horrid cavern ! They were themselves still in the most im¬ 
minent danger ; but their dearest friends, the pleasing com¬ 
panions of their voyage, were now no more. They felt for 
themselves; but they wept for wives, parents, brothers, 
sisters—perhaps lovers ; all—all cast off from their dearest, 
their most invaluable hopes. 

Nor were they less agonized by the subsequent events of 
this ill-fated night. Many of those who had gained the 
precarious stations which we have described, worn out with 
fatigue, smarting with bruises, battered by the tempest, and 
benumbed with the cold, were obliged to quit their hold¬ 
fasts, and tumbling headlong, either on the rocks below or 
in the surf, perished beneath the feet of their wretched as¬ 
sociates, and by their dying groans, and unavailing calls 


GAIN THE SUMMIT OF THE CLIFF. 


107 


for help, awakened terrific apprehensions in the survivors, 
of their own approaching fate. 

At length, after the bitterest three hours which misery 
ever lengthened into ages, the day broke on them *, but, 
instead of bringing with it the relief with which they flat¬ 
tered themselves, served to discover all the horrors of their 
situation. They now found that not even the country had 
been alarmed by the guns of distress they had fired; but 
which, from the violence of the storm, were unheard. They 
could neither be observed by the people from above, as they 
were completely engulphed in the cavern ; nor did any part 
of the wreck remain to point out their probable place 
of refuge. 

The only prospect which offered, was to creep along the 
sides of the cavern to its outward extremity; and on a 
ledge, scarcely as broad as a man’s hand, to turn the corner, 
and endeavour to clamber up the almost perpendicular pre¬ 
cipice, whose summit was nearly two hundred feet from 
the base. In this desperate effort did some succeed; 
whilst others, trembling with apprehension, and exhausted 
by fatigue, lost their precarious footing, and perished in 
the attempt. 

The first men who gained the summit of the cliff were 
the cook, and James Thompson, a quarter master. By 
their own intrepid exertions they made their way to the 
land; and the moment they reached it hastened to the 
nearest house, and made known the situation of their fel¬ 
low sufferers. 

The house at which they first arrived was Eastir.gton, 
the habitation of Mr. Garland, steward or agent to the pro¬ 
prietors of the Purbeck quarries; who immediately got 
together the workmen under his direction, and with the 
most zealous and animated humanity, exerted every effort 
for the preservation of the surviving crew of the unfortunate 
ship. Hopes were procured with all possible dispatch, and 
every precaution taken, that assistance should be speedily 
and effectually given to deliver them from their perilous 
situation. 

Mr. Meriton made the attempt to gain the summit of the 
cliff*, and almost reached the edge of the precipice. A sol¬ 
dier, who preceded him, had his feet on a small projecting 


108 LOSS or THE HALSKVV IILL INHUMAN 

rock or stone, and on the same stone Mr. Merit on had 
fastened his hands to help his progress. 

At this critical moment the quarry-men arrived; and 
seeing the soldier so near within their reach, they dropped 
a rope to him, of which he immediately laid hold ; and in 
a vigorous effort to avail himself of this advantage, he 
loosened the stone on which he stood, which giving way, 
Mr. Meriton must have been precipitated to the bottom; 
but a rope was providentially lowered to him at the instant, 
which he seized as he was in the act of falling, and was 
safely drawn to the summit. 

The fate of Mr. Brimer was peculiarly severe. This 
gentleman, who had been married only nine days before 
the ship sailed, was a lieutenant in the royal navy, but was 
now on a voyage to visit an uncle at Madras. He came 
on shore, as we have already observed, with Mr. Rodgers, 
and like him got up the side of the cavern, where he re¬ 
mained till morning, when he crawled out; and a rope be¬ 
ing thrown to him, he was either so benumbed with the 
cold as to fasten it about him improperly, or so agitated as 
to neglect to fasten it at all. From whichever cause it 
arose, the effect was fatal to him. At the moment of his 
supposed preservation, he fell from his stand ; and was un¬ 
fortunately dashed to pieces, in the presence of those who 
could only lament his deplorable fate. 

As the day advanced more assistance was obtained ; and 
as quickly as the life-preserving efforts of the survivors 
would admit, they crawled to the extremities of the cavern, 
and presented themselves to their preservers above, who 
stood prepared with the means to hoist them to the 
summit. 

The method of affording this help was singular, ana 
does honor to the humanity and intrepidity of the quarry- 
men. The distance from the top of the rock to the quarry 
was at least one hundred feet, with a projection of the 
former of about eight feet. Ten of these formed a declivity 
to the edge, and the remainder of it was perpendicular. 
On the very brink of the precipice stood two daring fel¬ 
lows, a rope'being tied around them, and fastened above 
to a strong iron bar fixed in the ground; behind them in 
the like manner two more, and farther on two more. A 


FATE OF THE JUKI MMEK. 


109 


itrcng rope, properly secured, passed between them, by 
which they might hold and support themselves from falling 
They then let down another rope, with a noose ready fixed, 
below the cavern; and the wind blowing hard, it was in 
some instances forced under the projecting rock, sulficiently 
for the sufferers to reach it without crawling to the ex¬ 
tremity. In either case, whoever laid hold of it put the 
noose around his waist, and after escaping from one ele¬ 
ment, committed himself full swing to another, in which 
he dangled till he was drawn up with great care and 
attention. 

But in this attempt many shared the fate of the unfortu¬ 
nate Mr. Brimer; and unable, through cold, weakness, or 
perturbation of mind, to avail themselves of the succour 
which vvas offered them, were at last precipitated from the 
stupendous cliff; and were dashed to pieces on the 
rocks beneath, or falling into the surge, perished in the 
waves. 

Among these unhappy sufferers, the destiny of a drum¬ 
mer, belonging to the military on board the Halsewell, was 
attended with circumstances of peculiar distress; being 
either washed off the rocks by the sea, or falling into the 
surf from above, he was carried by the counter sea, or re¬ 
turning waves, beyond the breakers, within which his ut¬ 
most efforts could never again bring him ; but he was drawn 
farther out in the deep; and as he swam remarkably well, 
continued to struggle with the waves, in sight of his pity¬ 
ing companions, till his strength was exhausted, and he 
sank to rise nomore. 

It was not till late in the day that the survivors were 
conveyed to a place of safety. One indeed, William Tren¬ 
ton, a soldier, remained in his perilous stand till the morn¬ 
ing of the 7 th of January, exposed to the united horrors of the 
extremest personal danger, and the most acute disquietude 
of mind; nor is it easy to conceive how his strength and 
spirits could have supported him for such a number of 
hours, under distresses so poignant and complicated. 

Though the remains of the wreck were no longer dis¬ 
coverable among the rocks, yet the surface of the sea was 
covered with fragments as far almost as the eye could 
reach ; and even so late as ten o’clock on Friday morn- 
10 


HO 


LOSS OF THE HALSEWELL INDIAMAN. 


ing, a sheep, part of the live stock of the passengers, was 
observed buffeting the angry waves. 



Appearance of the Spot where the Halsewell was wrecked Three Days 
after the Catastrophe. 


The surviving officers, seamen, and soldiers, being now 
assembled at the house of their benevolent friend, Mr. 
Garland, they were mustered, and found to amount to 
seventy-four, out of rather more than two hundred and 
forty, which was about the number of the crew and pas¬ 
sengers in the ship when she sailed from the Downs. Of 
the remainder, who unhappily lost their lives, upwards o{ 
seventy are supposed to have reached the rocks, but to 
have been washed off, or to have perished by falling from 
the cliffs; and fifty or more to have sunk with the captain 
and the ladies in the round-house, when the after part of 
the ship went to pieces. 

All those who reached the summit survived except two 









REWARD TO THE QUARRY-MEN, 


111 


or three, who were supposed to have expired in drawing 
up, and a black, who died in a few hours after he was 
brought to the house; though many of them were so ijiis- 
erably bruised that their lives were doubtful. 

It is but justice, however, to say, that the gentlemen in 
the neighborhood did every thing in their power to alle¬ 
viate their distresses ; and indeed all ranks displayed the 
most amiable sensibility. 

On Saturday morning Mr. Meriton and Mr. Rodgers, 
having been liberally assisted by Mr. Garland with the 
means of making the journey, set out for London, to carry 
the melancholy tidings to the Directors of the India-house ; 
and humanely took the precaution to acquaint the magis¬ 
trates of the towns through which they passed, that a num¬ 
ber of shipwrecked men would soon be on the road to the 
metropolis. 

These officers arrived at the India-house on Sunday, the 
Sth instant, at noon ; where the sad tale was no sooner 
told, than the Directors, with their usual munificence, or¬ 
dered handsome gratification to the quarry-men and others, 
who assisted in saving the survivors, and provided some 
immediate support for those who outlived this memorable 
event. To Mr. Garland they also made such acknowledg¬ 
ment of thanks as his benevolent conduct merited. 

The benevolence and generosity of the master of the 
Crown Inn at Blandford, deserves every praise. -When 
the distressed seamen arrived in that town, he sent for them 
all to his house ; and having given them the refreshment of 
a comfortable dinner, he presented each man with half a 
crown to help him on his journey—an example of liberality 
which we with pleasure record. And with this anecdote 
we wind up the tale. 





THE SINGULAR FATE 


OF 


COUNT LA PE ROUSE, 

Commander of the Two French Ships of Discovery 
La Boussole and L' Astrolabe. With an Account 
of the Loss of his Shallops on the North-west Coast 
of America; and the Massacre of Captain de Lan - 
gle and Two Boats' Crews at the Navigator Islands . 
The Proceedings of the Expedition previous to its 
Departure from New Holland. After which it teas 
not heard of for Thirty-eight Years. To which is 
added , the Manner in ivhich Captain Dillon dis¬ 
covered where the Ships were wrecked , on the 
Island of Mannicola , in the South Pacific Ocean ; 
and his successful Voyage in Search of the Remains 
of that celebrated Expedition. 


In the year 1784 France became awakened, by the renown 
acquired by England, in her maritime discoveries made by 
the immortal Cook and others. His most Christian Majes¬ 
ty, the unfortunate Louis the XVIth, and the French nation 
determining to contribute their share in enlarging our 
acquaintance with the surface of the globe, and its inhabi¬ 
tants, they ordered an expedition to be fitted out for that 
purpose, consisting of two of the finest frigates in the 
French service; one named la Boussole , the other V Astro¬ 
labe. Neither labor nor expense were spared in preparing 
and completing that expedition, to which were attached 
some of the most able scientific men in Europe. 

To secure the success of this scientific enterprise, it was 
deemed necessary to select a man of the highest profess- 



SAIL FROM BREST. 


UJ 

ional talent to command the expedition, anil for this pur¬ 
pose John Francis Galaup De La Ferousc was chosen ; 
his distinguished naval exploits, scientific acquirements, 
and enterprising character, having pointed him out to his 
country as the fittest person to be honored with the chief 
command. His toils and his constant success in the navy 
had inured him to every species of danger, and pointed him 
out as more proper than any one else, to follow the diffi¬ 
cult and dangerous course of a long navigation upon un¬ 
known seas, and in the midst of countries inhabited by 
barbarous people. 

The Frigates were supplied with a large number of rare 
and valuable scientific and Astronomical instruments, and 
a great variety of the seeds, and roots of useful vegetables 
and fruits, to be distributed among the Islands and places 
which they should discover or visit. 

A distinguished gardener accompanied the ships to plant, 
and instruct the natives in cultivating the fruits and veg¬ 
etables. 

Being thus prepared, the expedition sailed from Brest 
on the 1st of August 1785, and anchored at the Island of 
Madeira on the 13th. From this place the Frigates pro¬ 
ceeded to Teneriffe. The men of science were employed 
on shore in their various pursuits, and the crew in hoisting 
on board and stowing away sixty pipes of wine with other 
stores. 

The expedition left this place and crossed the equinoc¬ 
tial line on the 29th of September. And arrived at St. 
Catherine on the coast of Brazil. 

This Island is so fertile that all sorts of fruit, vegetables 
and corn, grow almost spontaneously. It is covered with 
trees of everlasting green, but they are so interwoven with 
briars and creeping plants, that it is impossible to get 
through the forests otherwise than by opening a path with 
a hatchet. Danger is besides to be apprehended from 
snakes whose bite is mortal. The habitations, both on the 
island and continent, are all close to the sea side. The 
woods that surround them are delightfully fragrant, owing 
to the great number of orange trees, and other odoriferous 
trees and shrubs that they contain. Provisions were pro¬ 
cured in the greatest abundance. A large ox was bought 
10 # 


1 14 SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 

for eight dollars, and oranges at the rate of one thousand 
for less than a dollar. 

From this place La Perouse sailed; and came to sound¬ 
ings on the coast of Patagonia on the 14th of January 1786. 

During this run he had several days of calm weather, 
and smooth water, during which the officers of the two 
ships went on shooting parties, and killed a considerable 
number of birds, with which the ships were almost con¬ 
stantly surrounded, which refreshed the ships’ crews. On 
the 25th the expedition doubled Cape Horn, with much 
greater facility than had been expected. .From thence they 
proceeded to Conception bay in Chili. 

There is not in the universe a soil more fertile than that 
of this part of Chili. Corn yields sixty for one ; the vine¬ 
yards are equally productive; and the plains are covered 
with innumerable flocks which multiply beyond all con¬ 
ception, though abandoned entirely to themselves. 

The inhabitants were unbounded in their hospitality to 
the officers and crew. La Perouse gave a general enter¬ 
tainment and invited all the ladies of Conception. A 
large tent was pitched by the sea side and a dinner was 
given to a large party of both sexes. The dinner was 
followed by a dance and fire works. The following day, 
the same tent served for the purpose of giving a great 
dinner to the crews of both frigates. All ate at the same 
table, La Perouse and M. De Langle were at the head, 
and each officer, down to the lowest sailor, was seated 
according to the rank he held on board. The dishes were 
wooden bowls, gaiety was depicted in the countenance of 
all the sailors, who looked better, and were a thousand 
times happier, than the day they left Brest. 

After refitting the frigates, they sailed from this coast and 
sighted Easter Island on the 8th of April. 

On the 23d, Mount St. Elias, of Behrings, on the North¬ 
west coast of America, was visible from the ships’ decks, 
a few days were spent in exploring this part of the coast, 
when a port was discovered which the Count, named Port 
des Francais. 

On the 4th of July at 6 o’clock A. M. they made sail to 
reach the entrance with the last of the flood. The Astrol¬ 
abe (says La Perouse) sailed before my frigate, and wo 


DANGEROUS ANCHORAGE. 


115 


stationed a boat on each point. The wind blev from 
west to west south west, the entrance lies north and south : 
thus far every thing seemed to favor us. But at seven 
o’clock A. M. when we were in the channel, the wind 
dropped about to the W. N. W. so that it was necessary 
to throw the ship up in the wind, and lay all aback ; for¬ 
tunately the flood tide carried our frigates into the bay, 
causing us to range along the rocks from the eastern point 
# within it, in three fathoms and a half rocky bottom, and 
half a cable’s length from the shore ; the Astrolabe did the 
same. 

During thirty years experience of navigation, I had 
never before seen two ships so near being lost/ the cir¬ 
cumstance of experiencing such an event at the extremity 
of the world would have rendered our misfortunes still 
greater, but there was no longer any danger. Our long boats 
were quickly got out, we carried out hawsers with hedge 
anchors to warp her off', and before the tide had perceptibly 
fallen we were in six fathoms water ; she touched however 
with her keel once or twice, but so slightly as not to re¬ 
ceive any damage. From this dangerous anchorage the 
ships were warped to a place of safety. They were visited 
by a great number of savages in their canoes. Nothing 
remarkable occured until the 13th, on which day a dread¬ 
ful disaster befel twenty-one of the ships’ company, who 
composed the crews of two boats employed in sounding the 
passage into the bay. The command of this party was 
given to a very distinguished officer, who incautiously devi¬ 
ated most unfortunatery from the strict injunctions laid on 
him by his experienced commander. 

La Perouse says, our boats set off as I had ordered at 
6 o’clock A. M., it was as much a party of pleasure as of 
utility and instruction; they might hunt and breakfast 
under the trees. At 10, A. M. I saw our jolly boat com¬ 
ing back. In some surprise, because I did not expect her 
so soon, I asked M. Boutin, before he came on boaid the 
frigate, if any thing new had occurred. In his face was 
depicted the most lively sorrow. He soon informed me 
of the dreadful wreck he had just witnessed 

« On the 13th of July, at fifty minutes past five o’clock 


116 SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEAOUSE. 

in the morning, I set off from the Boussole in the jolly boat. 
My orders were to follow M. d’Escures, who commanded 
our pinnace, and M. de Marchainville, commanding that 
of the Astrolabe, was to join us. The instructions received 
in writing by M. d’Escures from M. de la Perouse, and 
which had been communicated to me, enjoined him to em¬ 
ploy these three boats in sounding the bay; to lay down 
the soundings from the bearings upon the draught which 
had been put into his hands; to sound the passage, if the 
water were smooth, and to measure its width ; but he was 
expressly forbidden to expose the boats under his orders to 
the least risk, or to approach the channel at all, if there 
was either broken water or swell in it. After having 
doubled the western point of the island, near to which we 
were at anchor, I perceived that the sea broke all over the 
channel, and that it would be impossible to approach it. 
M. d’Escures was at that time ahead, lying on his oars, 
and seemed desirous to wait for me, but when I came 
within gun-shot he continued his course; and as his boat 
rowed much better than mine, he several times repeated 
the same manoeuvre without any possibility on my part of 
joining him. At a quarter after seven o’clock, having con¬ 
stantly steered for the channel, we were not more than two 
cables length from it, when our pinnace put about. I did 
the same in his wake; we shaped our course for re-enter¬ 
ing the bay, leaving the channel astern of us. My boat 
was astern of our pinnace, and within hail: I perceived 
that of the Astrolabe at a quarter of a league’s distance 
within the bay. M. d’Escures then laughingly hailed me, 
saying, “ I think we can’t do better than go to breakfast, 
for the sea breaks horribly in the channel.” I answered, 
“ Certainly, and I imagine that our labour will extend no 
farther than to determine the limits of the sandy bay which 
lies on the larboard hand in going in.” M. de Pierrevert, 
who was with M. d’Escures, was about to answer me ; but 
his eyes being turned towards the eastern coast, he saw 
that we were drifted by the ebb. I also perceived it; and 
immediately both our boats began pulling away to the 
northward, in order to increase our distance from the chan¬ 
nel, from which we were still a hundred toises off. I did 
not think of our being exposed to the least danger, since 


*-Sh id wreck oi the two shallops. 


































































































































































































































V % 



































XN THE BREAKERS. 


119 


by gaining only twenty toises on either tack, we always 
possessed the resource of running our boats asl ore. After 
having rowed more than a minute, without being able to 
stem the tide, I tried in vain to approach the eastern shore. 
Our pinnace, which was ahead of us, made the same 
useless efforts to reach the western shore. We were 
then under the necessity of once more laying our heads to 
the northward, to prevent our falling across the breakers. 
The first billows began to show themselves at a small dis¬ 
tance from my boat, I now thought it high time to let go 
the grapnel, but it did not hold. Fortunately the rope not 
being made fast to a thwart, ran out end for end, and dis¬ 
charged us of a weight which might have proved very fatal 
to us. In an instant afterwards I was in the middle of the 
heaviest seas, which almost filled the boat. She did not 
however sink, or cease to answer her helm ; so that I couid 
always keep her stern to the sea, from which circumstance 
I entertained great hopes of escaping the danger. 

“ Our pinnace increased her distance from me whilst I 
was letting go the grapnel, and in a few minutes afterwards 
she was in the midst of the breakers. I had lost sight of 
her on shipping the first seas ; but in one of those moments 
when I found myself at the top of the breakers, I saw her 
again going down about thirty or forty toises ahead. She 
was broadside to, and I saw neither men nor oars. My 
only hope had been, that she might be able to stem the 
current, but I was too certain she would perish if she was 
drawn into it; for in order to escape, it were absolutely 
necessary to have a boat which would swim when full of 
water, and in this situation would answer her helm to pre¬ 
vent her oversetting. Our pinnace most unfortunately 
possessed none of these qualities. 

“ I was still in the middle of the breakers, looking out 
all around, and I saw, that, astern of my boat to the south¬ 
ward, the breakers formed a continued line as far as I 
could see. They also appeared to extend farther to tho 
westward. At length I perceived, that, if I could get only 
fifty toises to the eastward, I should find a less dangerous 
sea. I used every exertion to succeed in this, by pulling 
away to starboard in the interval of the breaking of the 
peas ; and at twenty-five minutes after seven o’clock I was 


120 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 


out of all danger, having only to contend against a \ery 
heavy swell, and some small waves, occasioned by a breeze 
from the west-north-west. 

<( After having bailed the water out of my boat, I sought 
means of giving assistance to my unfortunate shipmates; 
but from that time every hope had vanished. 

“ From the moment in which I had seen our pinnace go 
down among the breakers, I had kept pulling away to the 
eastward; and it took me some minutes to get clear of 
them. It was impossible that those who were wrecked in 
the midst of so raj id a current could ever get out of its 
course ; and they must have been swept away by it during 
the remainder of the tide which set towards the offing till 
forty-five minutes after eight o’clock. Besides, how was it 
possible for the most excellent swimmer to resist even for 
a few moments the force of these waves ? Nevertheless, as 
I could not make any other reasonable search than in the 
part to which the current set, I laid the boat’s head to the 
southward, rowing along the breakers on my starboard 
hand, and every instant changing my course in order to 
get nearer to some seals and sea-weeds, which from time 
to time gave me hopes. 

“ As there was a heavy swell, when I was at the top of 
the seas, I could see a considerable way ; and I should 
have been able to perceive an oar or a piece of wreck at 
more than two hundred toises distance. 

“ My observations were soon attracted towards the point 
of the eastern entrance, where I perceived some men who 
made signals with cloaks. As I have since learned, they 
were the Indians ; but I then took them for the crew of 
the Astrolabe’s pinnace, and I imagined that they waited 
for slack water to come to our assistance I was very far 
from thinking that my unfortunate friends had fallen the 
victims of their generous boldness 

At three quarters after eight o’clock*, the tide having 
turned, there was no longer any breakers, but only a very 
heavy swell. I deemed it my duty to continue my search 


* Half after eight o’clock was the l.onr that had been pointed out in my 
instructions to approach the channel without danger; because the current 
would, at all events, have set in, and at a quarter alter seven the iong- 
feoaU were swallowed up. 


FATE OF nARCltAlNVlI.LE 


121 


m this swell, following the set of the ebb which nad done; 
but I was as unfortunate in this second search as ;n the 
first. Perceiving, at nine o’clock, that the flood came from 
the south-west, and that I had neither provision, nor grap¬ 
nel, ncr sails, my crew drenched with water, and very 
cold, fearing not to be able to re-enter the bay when the 
flood ran strong; seeing besides that it already set with 
great violence to the north-east, which prevented my get¬ 
ting to the southward, where I meant to continue my 
search if the tide had permitted, I again entered the bay, 
and shaped my course to the northward. 

“ The channel was already almost shut in by the eastern 
point; the sea still continued to break upon the two points, 
but it was smooth in the middle. I at length completely 
gained this entrance, rowing along the point on my larboard 
hand, upon which were the Indians who had made me sig¬ 
nals, and whom I took for Frenchmen. They expressed to 
me by their gestures that they had seen our two boats over¬ 
set ; and not seeing the pinnace of the Astrolabe, I became 
perfectly convinced of the fate of M. de Marchai lville, 
whom I knew too well to suppose, that he would have re¬ 
flected on the inutility of the danger to which he would 
expose himself. As we are however always disposed to 
flatter ourselves, there still remained a very faint hope that 
I might find him on board our ships, where it was possible 
he might have gone for assistance. My first words on get¬ 
ting on board were, ‘Have you any news of M. de Mar- 
chainville? , ‘No,’ deprived me of every hope for his 
safety. 

“ These details being finished, I think it necessary to ex¬ 
plain the motives of M. d’Escure’s conduct. It is impos¬ 
sible that he ever should have thought of going into the 
channel; he wished only to approach it; and imagined 
the distance he was from it was more than sufficient to 
keep him out of all danger. It was this distance of which 
he as well as I, and the eighteen persons who were in the 
two boats, had formed a wrong judgment. I do not pre¬ 
tend to determine how fa; this error was pardonable, or 
why it was not possible to j !ge of the violence of the cur¬ 
rent. It might be imagined that I wished to exculpate 
myself, for I repeat that I judged this distance m faarriTe<T 


122 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEItOUSE. 


sufficient; and even the sight of the coast, which appeared 
to be swiftly moving to the north, excited in me only sur¬ 
prise. Without enumerating all the reasons which con¬ 
tributed to possess us with so melancholy a confidence, I 
cannot but remark, that, on the day of our entrance into 
this bay, this passage was sounded in every direction by 
our boats, for more than two hours, without finding any 
current. It is true, that, when our ships stood towards it, 
they were drifted away by the ebb; but this was owing to 
the lightness of the breeze, that our boats at the same in¬ 
stant stemmed the tide with the greatest facility. Finally, 
on the 11th of July, the day the moon was at the full, our 
two commanders, accompanied by several other offieers, 
had themselves sounded this channel. They went out of 
it with the ebb, and entered it again with the flood, with¬ 
out observing any thing which could lead them to imagine 
there was the least danger, especially with boats well 
manned. From this it is fair to infer, that on the 13th of 
July particular circumstances contributed to give the cur¬ 
rent t.n additional violence, such as an extraordinary melt¬ 
ing of the snow, or violent winds which had not reached 
within the bay, but which had without doubt blown with 
great force in the offing. 

At the moment when I was drawn into the passage, M. 
de Marchainville was a quarter of a league within it. I 
never saw him afterwards; but all those who knew his 
character are convinced, that his noble and generous dispo¬ 
sition induced him to act as he did. It is probable, that 
when he perceived our two boats in the middle of the 
breakers, and not being able to conceive how we had been 
drawn into them, he supposed, either that the grapnel rope 
had snapped, or that the oars had been lost. He must at 
the instant have rowed for the purpose of coming to the 
beginning of the first breakers. Seeing us buffetting in 
the middle of the waves, he no doubt listened only to tho 
dictates of his courage, and strove to surmount the break¬ 
ers, and bring us assistance from without, at the risk ' 
perishing along with us. This sort of death is undoubtedly 
a glorious one; but how cruel to him who escaped the 
worfflfS\ the reflection that he must for ever relinquish 
fcoate were swrf seeing his companions again, or any of those 


COSTUME OF THE NATIVES. 


123 


heroes who came with the generous intention of saving his 
life. 

“ It is not possible that I should willingly have omitted 
any essential fact, or misrepresented those which I have 
reported. M. Mouton, lieutenant of the frigate, who was 
second in command in my boat, has it in his power to cor 
rect my errors, if my memory in any instance failed me. 
His firmness, with that of the cockswain and the four row 
ers, contributed not a little to our preservation. My orders, 
in the midst of the breakers, were executed with as much 
exactness as in the most ordinary circumstances.” 

Pines were seen of six feet in diameter, and one hundred 
and forty feet in height. Vegetation is vigorous during three 
or four months of the year. The rivers are filled with 
trout and salmon, and muscles and limpets abound on the 
shore. The men wear different small ornaments, pendent 
from the ears and nose, scarify their arms, and breasts, and 
file their teeth close to their gums, using for the last oper¬ 
ation a sand stone, formed into a particular shape. They 
paint the face and body with soot, ochre, and plumbago, 
mixed with train oil, making themselves horrid figures. 
When completely dressed, their flowing hair is powdered, 
and plaited with the down of sea birds. Their shoulders 
are covered with a skin ; sometimes the head is decorated 
with two horned bonnets of eagle feathers. The grand 
object of which is to render themselves terrible, that they 
may keep their enemies in awe. A great chief wore a 
shirt composed of a tanned skin of the Elk, bordered with a 
fringe of beaks of birds, which when dancing imitates the 
noise of a bell. 

The women are addicted to a custom which renders 
them hideous, and which I could scarcely have believed, 
had I not been a witness to it; all of them, without excep¬ 
tion, have the lower lip slit at the root of the gums, the 
whole width of the mouth. They wear a kind of wooden 
bowl without handles, which rests against the gums, to 
which this lower cut lip serves for a support, so that tho 
lower part of the moutn Jets out two or three inches ; this 
is the most disgusting fashion on the earth. The young 
girls have only a needle in the lower lip, and the married 


124 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA FEUOUSE 


women alone have the right of the bowl. The passion of 
these Indians for gaming is astonishing, and they pursue 
it with great avidity; the sort of play to which they are 
most addicted, is a certain game of chance ; out.of thirty 
pieces of wood, each distinctly marked like the French 
dice, they hide seven ; each plays in succession, and he 
who guesses nearest to the whole number marked upon 
the seven is the winner of the stakes, which is usually a 
hatchet or a piece of iron. 

At length, after exploring and surveying the coast of 
America until the 15th of September, at which time the 
frigates anchored at the Spanish settlement of Monterey 
in California. There were two three masted vessels in the 
road. The commander of these two ships having been 
informed, by the Viceroy of Mexico, of the probable arrival 
of the two French frigates, sent them pilots. Here they 
met with a kind reception from the Spanish missionaries. 
The president of the missioners in his sacerdotal vestment, 
with the holy water in his hand, waited to receive them at 
the entrance of the church, which was splendidly illumin¬ 
ated as on their highest festivals ; he then conducted them 
to the foot of the high altar, where Te Deum was sung in 
thanksgivings for their arrival. Before they entered the 
church they passed a range of Indians ; the parish church, 
though covered with straw, is neat, and decorated with 
paintings. The natives as well as the missionaries rise 
with the sun, and devote an hour to prayers and mass, 
during which time a species of boiled food is prepared for 
them : it consists of barley meal, the grain of which has 
been roasted previous to its being boiled. It is cooked in 
the centre of the square in three large kettles. This repast 
is called atole by the Indians, who consider it as delicious. 

On the morning of the 24th they sailed. On the 3d of 
November the frigates were surrounded with noddies, gulls, 
and man-of-war birds; and on the 4th they made an Isl¬ 
and which bore west. This small island is little more than 
a rock of about five hundred toises in length. La Pe- 
rouse named it Isle Nicker. About 2 o’clock in the morn 
ing breakers were seen at two cables’ length ahead of the 
ship ; the sea being so smooth the sound of them was 
hardly heard ; the Astrolabe perceived them at the same 


VISIT TO TKK CRAVE OF CLF.RKE. 


125 


<ime, though at a greater distance than the Boussole ; both 
frigates instantly hauled with their heack to the south east 
On sounding, they had nine fathoms rocky bottom; soon 
after ten and twelve fathoms, and in a quarter of an hour 
got no bottom with sixty fathoms. They just escaped the 
most imminent danger. 

The frigates soon after made the Island of Assumption, 
one of the Lackones, and anchored in safety in Macao 
roads on the 3d January 1787. 

After procuring supplies at this place the expedition 
sailed thence to Manilla, where they waited till the strength 
of the north east monsoon was spent, and left this place on 
the 9th April for the purpose of surveying the eastern coast 
of Tartary. After discovering several bays on the shores 
of the Gulf of Sagaleen, and having frequent communica¬ 
tions with villages of camps of Eastern Tartars, they shaped 
their course for Kamtschatka, where they anchored in the 
bay of St. Peter and St. Paul, on the 7th September. 

La Perouse here received letters from France, which 
had been forwarded over land by the way of St. Peters- 
burgh and Moscow. 

During La Perouse’s stay at Kamtschatka he visited the 
grave of Captain Clerke, the companion of the immortal 
Cook on his last voyage. And by permission of the Gov¬ 
ernor he affixed an inscription engraved on copper on the 
tree over his grave. His interpreter, count Lesseps, was 
now sent to France with despatches. 

Having procured such refreshments as Kamtschatka 
could afford, with an abundant supply of wood and water, 
the expedition sailed from thence on the 29th September, 
and shaped its course to the southward ; and crossed the 
equator the third time since leaving France on the 21st 
November. The frigates then proceeded towards the 
Navigator Islands, where a dreadful disaster awaited them. 
On the 6th December, at three in the afternoon, the most 
eastern of the Navigator Islands was visible from the ship’s 
deck. Four boats were sent on shore with an armed wa¬ 
tering party, who procured abundance of that beverage 
without molestation from the natives. 

On the 11th of December a dreadful circumstance oc¬ 
curred to a party who were sent on shore to procure 
11 * 


m 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA rEROUSL 


water. The following narrative of this event is given in 
the words of M. Vaujuas, who was present at the time. 

“Tuesday, December 11th, at eleven o’clock in the 
morning, M. de la Perouse sent his long-boat and Ins barge, 
laden with water-casks, with a detachment of soldiers un¬ 
der arms, to join a party under the command of M. de 
Langlc. M. Boutin had already received instructions con¬ 
cerning the means of preserving order, and of providing 
for our safety when the boats should go ashore. At the 
same hour our captain also hoisted out his boats, and in 
like manner had water-casks and arms put into them. At 
half past twelve, the ships being three quarters of a league 
from land, with their larboard tacks on board, the four boats 
set off in order to get water in a creek that had been exam¬ 
ined by M. de Langle. This watering place was to lee¬ 
ward of the one whither we had already been, and wa 9 
thought preferable to it by M. de Langle, because it ap¬ 
peared less inhabited and equally commodious ; but the 
first had the advantage of an easier entrance, and of a suf¬ 
ficient depth of water for the boats to be in no danger of 
getting aground. 

“ M. de Langle proposed to me, although I was still in 
a weak state, to accompany him in his excursion, by way 
of taking an airing on shore. He took the command of 
the barge himself, and gave that of the long-boat to M. le 
Gobien. M. Boutin commanded the Boussol'e’s long-boat, 
and M. Mouton the barge. M. Colinet and Father Rece- 
veur, who were both sick, with Messieurs de Lemanon, la 
Martiniere, and Lavaux, accompanied us, as well as a num¬ 
ber of other persons belonging to the two frigates, so that 
we made up a detachment of sixty-one persons, the crews 
of the two barges included. 

“ While on our way we saw with concern, that many of 
the canoes that were alongside of the ship followed us, mid 
were coming to the same creek. We saw also along the 
rocks, that separated it from the neighboring bays, many 
of the natives repairing thither from the other villages. 
Upon our arrival at the reef, which forms the oreek of the 
watering place, and only leaves a narrow and shallow pas¬ 
sage for boats, we perceived that it was low water, and 



The grave of Capt. Clerke. p. 126. 

















. I 








































* 


* 


* 








CAUSfc OF ASSAULT BY THE SAVAGES. 129 

that the long-boats could not go in without getting aground. 
They touched accordingly at half a musket shot from the 
beach, which we could only approach by pushing them on 
with our oars. This bay had appeared to the captain in n 
more favorable point of view, because, at the time he ex¬ 
amined it, the tide was not so low. 

“ Upon our arrival, the savages, who lined the coast, to 
the number of seven or eight hundred, threw into the sea, 
as a token of peace, several branches of the tree from 
which the islanders of the South Sea draw their intoxica¬ 
ting beverage. When we landed, M. de Langle gave or¬ 
ders, that each boat should be guarded by a soldier under 
arms, and by a sailor ; and that the crews of the long-boats, 
while filling the casks, should be under the protection of a 
double line of soldiers extending from the watering place 
to the boats. As fast as the casks were filled, they were 
put quietly on board, the natives suffering themselves to 
be kept in tolerable orde~ by the armed soldiers. Among 
them was a considerable number of women, and very 
young girls, who offered their favors to us in the most in¬ 
decent manner, and whose advances were not universally 
rejected. The children we saw there were few. 

“ Towards the end of our labor, the number of natives 
increased, and became more and more troublesome. This 
circumstance induced M. de Langle to abandon his original 
intention of trafficing for a few provisions ; and he gave 
orders to re-embark without delay : but in the mean time, 
and this, I think, was the first cause of our misfortune, he 
made a present of a few beads to a sort of chiefs, who had 
helped to keep off the inhabitants. We were, however, 
certain, that this police was a mere mockery, and that, if 
these pretended chiefs had really any authority, it extended 
to a very small number of individuals. The captain’s 
presents, distributed to five or six persons, excited the dis¬ 
content of all the rest. From that moment a general 
clamor arose, and we were no longer able to keep them 
quiet. They suffered us, however, to get into our boats, 
but a part of them stepped into the water in pursuit of us, 
while the others picked up stones upon the beach. 

“ As the long-boats were aground at a little distance 
from the strand, we were obliged in our way to them to 


130 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSK 


pass tnrough the water up to our waists; and in so doing 
several of the soldiers wet their arms. It was in this crit¬ 
ical situation that the horrible scene began which I am 
about to narrate. Scarcely were we in the long-boats, 
when M. de Langle gave orders to shove them off, and to 
weigh the grapnel; but this several of the most robust 
islanders opposed by laying hold of the rope. The cap¬ 
tain, witness of their resistance, seeing the tumult increase, 
and perceiving the stones reach him, tried to intimidate 
the savages by firing a musket in the air ; but, so far from 
being frightened, they made it the signal of a general at¬ 
tack. Immediately a shower of stones, hurled with equal 
force and celerity, came pouring upon us. The fight be¬ 
gan on both sides, and soon became general. Those whose 
muskets were in a serviceable state brought several of the 
infuriated Indians to the ground ; but the others were by 
no means dismayed, and seemed to combat with renewed 
vigor. A part of them came close up to the long-boats, 
while the rest, to the number of six or seven hundred, 
continued to stone us in the most dreadful and murderous 
manner. 

“ Upon the first act of hostility I threw myself into the 
water, in order to swim to the Astrolabe’s barge, which 
was destitute of officers. The exigency of the case gave 
me strength sufficient for the small distance I had to go ; 
and, notwithstanding my weakness, and my being struck 
on the way by several stones, l got into the boat without 
assistance. I saw with despair that there was scarcely a 
musket that was not wet, and that nothing remained to be 
done but to get her afloat without the reef as soon as pos¬ 
sible. In the mean time the combat continued ; the enor¬ 
mous stones hurled by the savages maimed one or other of 
our people at every moment; and whenever a wounded 
man fell into the water on the side of the savages, he was 
immediately despatched with clubs and paddles. 

“ M. de Langle was the first victim of the ferocity of 
these barbarians, who had received nothing but favors at 
his hand. At the very beginning of the attack, he was 
beaten down from the bow of the long-boat, on which he 
was standing, and fell into the sea, with the master-at- 
arms and the carpenter, who were by his side. The fury 


DKFEffCEI.ESS STATE OK THE COATS. 


131 


with which the islanders fell upon the captain saved the 
two latter, who found means to get on board the barge. 
Those who were in the long-boats soon shared the fate of 
our unfortunate commander, except a few who got away 
to the reef, and swam thence towards the barges. In less 
than four minutes the islanders made themselves masters 
of the two boats; and I beheld with grief and rage the 
massacre of our unfortunate companions, without being 
able to afford them the smallest assistance. The Astro¬ 
labe’s barge was still within the reef, and I expected every 
moment to see it involved in the misfortune of the Ion"- 
boats ; but it was saved by the avidity of the islanders, the 
greater part of whom rushed into the latter, while the rest 
contented themselves with throwing stones. A few, how¬ 
ever, came down, and waited for us in the channel, and 
upon the reefs. Although the swell was heavy, and the 
wind right on end, we found means, notwithstanding their 
stones, and the dangeious wounds by which many of us 
were disabled, to extricate ourselves from this fatal place, 
and to join the Boussole’s barge without, commanded by 
M. Mouton, who, by throwing his water-casks into the sea, 
had lightened her, and made room for all those who swam 
on board. I had taken into that of the Astrolabe Messieurs 
Boutin and Colinet, as well as several other persons. Those 
who had escaped to the barges were all either more or less 
wounded. The boats were therefore defenceless, and it 
w as impossible to think of returning to a bay whence our 
escape had been most fortunate, in order to make head 
against a thousand enraged barbarians. It would have 
been exposing ourselves, to no purpose, to certain death. 

“ We steered our course then towards the two frigates, 
which at three o’clock, the moment of the massacre, had 
made a tack off shore. They did not so much as suspect 
that we were in the smallest danger, and the wind being 
fresh, were a long way to windward; an unfortunate cir¬ 
cumstance for us, especially for those whose wounds re¬ 
quired speedily dressing. At four o’clock they tacked 
again, and stood in for the land. As soon as we were 
without the reefs, I set the sails, and hauled close to the 
wind, in order to get clear of the coast, throwing over¬ 
board every thing likely to impede the sailing of a boat 


132 


SINGULAR FATS OF COUNT LA PEROUSL. 

so full cf people. Fortunately, the islanders, busy in 
plundering the long boats, did not think of pursuing us. 
Our whole means of defence consisted of four or five cut¬ 
lasses, and a charge for two or three muskets ; a poor 
resource against two or three hundred barbarians armed 
with stones and clubs, and masters of light canoes which 
would enable them to choose their distance. Several ol 
these canoes came out of the bay shortly after we left it; 
but they made sail along shore, whence one of The number 
set off to give information to those that had remained 
alongside the frigates. The Indians on board had the 
insolence to make menacing sig is as they passed by ; but 
our situation obliged us to suspend our vengeance, and to 
reserve our feeble means for self-defence. 

“ As soon as we were in the offing, we pulled up with 
the wind on end towards the frigates, hoisting a red hand¬ 
kerchief at the mast-head, and on rur nearer approach, 
firing our three last musket shots. M. Mouton made also 
the signal for assistance with two handkerchiefs; but we 
were almost alongside before we were perceived. The 
Astrolabe, the nearest of the two frigates, then bore down 
upon us ; and at half past four I put those who were the 
most severely wounded on board of her. M. Mouton hav¬ 
ing done the same, we repaired without delay to the Bous- 
sole, where I informed the commodore of this disastrous 
event. After the precautions with which his prudence 
had inspired him, and the just confidence he had placed 
in that of M. de Langle, his surprise was extreme ; and I 
can only compare his grief to that which I felt myself. 
Our present misfortune reminded us strongly of that of 
July 13th, 1786, and helped to throw a still stronger 
gloom over our voyage ; though in this last circumstance 
we were still fortunate in saving the greater part of those 
who had gone ashore. If the desire of plunder had not 
for a moment stopped or fixed the fury of the savages, not 
a man of us would have escaped. 

“It is impossible to describe the consternation occa 
sioned by this fatal event on board the two frigates. The 
death of M. de Langle, who enjoyed the confidence and 
esteem of his crew, was matter of the deepest regret to 
every one. The islanders who were alongside when I 


GOOD CONDUCT OF THE CREWS. 


133 


came on board, were on the point of being immolated to 
the vengeance of our sailors, whom we found it extremely 
difficult to restrain. The general affliction which reigned 
on board is the best panegyric that can be pronounced on 
the captain. As to myself, I lost in him rather a friend 
than a commander. The kindness with which he treated 
me will make me regret him to the last moment of my 
existence, and happy should I have been if I could have 
oroved my attachment and my gratitude by sacrificing it 
jn his defence. But this brave officer, being more exposed 
than any one else, was the first who fell a prey to the wild 
beasts that assailed us. In my weak and convalescent 
state, I had gone ashore without arms, under the protec¬ 
tion of others ; and when I reached the barge all the 
ammunition was either exhausted or wet. All then that J 
could do was to give orders, which were unfortunately of 
too little effect. 

“ I should do injustice to those who like me had the 
good fortune to save their lives, if I did not declare that 
they conducted themselves with all possible bravery and 
sang-froid. Messieurs Boutin and Colinet, who, notwith¬ 
standing their bad wounds, were perfectly collected, had 
the goodness to assist me with their advice; and I was 
also ably seconded by M. le Gobien, who was the last to 
leave the long-boat, and whose example, intrepidity, and 
discourse, contributed not a little to re-assure such of the 
sailors as felt themselves dismayed. The petty officers, 
soldiers, and seamen, executed the orders given them with 
equal punctuality and zeal ; and M. Mouton had no less 
reason to be satisfied with the crew of the Boussole’s 
barge. 

“ Every one who was on shore can attest with me that 
no violence or imprudence on our part provoked the attack 
of the savages. Our captain had given the strictest orders 
in that respect, and they were universally obeyed.” 

In consequence of the above dreadful calastrophe it was 
necessary the ships should proceed from this horrid place 
to a secure port, for the purpose of building long-boats to 
replace those destroyed by the islanders. It was deter¬ 
mined to proceed to Botany Bav in New Holland ; on the 
1*2 


134 SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 

passage they touched at Norfolk Island, and reached Bot 
any Bay in January 1788. New long-boats were built, 
supplies of wood and water taken on board, and despatch¬ 
es and journals connected with the expedition handed over 
to the British Governor, to be forwarded to France. The 
expedition sailed thence late in February, and no authen¬ 
tic accounts of it were obtained for a period of thirty-eight 
years!! 

As La Perouse did not return to France, and no ac¬ 
counts of him had been received for three years, the great¬ 
est anxiety was felt respecting his fate, especially by scien¬ 
tific and literary men. It was the general wish of the 
French nation that measures should be adopted to render 
all the assistance possible to the distinguished Navigators 
and Philosophers who composed the expedition. Accord 
ingly the National Convention passed the following decree 
the 9th of February, 1791. 

“ The National Assembly, after having heard its united 
committees of agriculture, of commerce, and of marine, 
decrees:— 

u That the king be entreated to give orders to all am¬ 
bassadors, residents, consuls, and national agents, at the 
courts of foreign powers, that they may engage those dif 
ferent sovereigns, in the name of humanity, and of the arts 
and sciences, to charge all navigators and agents whatso¬ 
ever, their subjects, in whatever place they may be, but 
especially in the southerly part of the South Sea, to make 
inquiry after the two French frigates La Boussole and 
L’Astrolabe, commanded by M. de la Perouse, as well 
as after their crews, and to obtain every information, 
which may ascertain their existence or their shipwreck ; 
so that in case M. de la Perouse and his companions 
should be found, no matter in what place, there be given 
to them every assistance, and all means procured for them, 
that they may be enabled to return to their country with 
whatever may belong to them ; the National Assembly en¬ 
gaging to indemnify, and even to recompense, according 
to the importance of the service, whomsoever shall lend 
them succor, obtain news concerning them, or only restore 
to France whatever papers and other effects may have 
belonged to those navigators in their expedition. 


SAILING OF THE NEW EXPEDITION. 


135 


“ It is further decreed, that the king be entreated to di 
reet, that one or more vessels be equipped, and several 
learned and experienced persons, naturalists, and draughts¬ 
men embarked therein, to the commanders of which may 
be given in charge the double mission, to search after M. 
de la Perouse, according to the documents, instructions, 
and orders that shall be given to them, and also at the 
3ame time to make inquiries relative to the sciences and to 
commerce, taking every measure independently of the 
pursuit after M. de la Perouse, and even after having met 
with him, or obtained news concerning him, to render this 
expedition useful and advantageous to navigation, to geo¬ 
graphy, and to the arts and sciences.” 

Shortly after passing the above decrees, orders were 
sent to Brest for the equipment of two frigates to be 
employed on a voyage in search of La Perouse’s expedi¬ 
tion. The ships received names analogous to the object 
of the enterprise on which they were to be engaged ; the 
Commodore’s ship was named “ la Recherche ” (the Re¬ 
search,) and the other received the name of /’ Espcrance 
(Hope.) The command of the expedition was given to 
General d’Entrecasteaux. 

This expedition left France in 1791, and visited numer¬ 
ous groups of islands in the South Pacific and Indian 
Oceans, in search of La Perouse’s expedition; but found 
no traces of them. From the charts of this part of the Pa¬ 
cific, D’Entrecasteaux must have passed at no greater dis¬ 
tance than ten leagues from Manicola, or La Perouse’s 
island. This must have happened at night, and was un¬ 
fortunate ; for had the island been visited at so early a pe¬ 
riod, it is probable some of the survivors from the wreck 
might have been recovered, and restored to their country, 
to relate the melancholy disaster, which proved fatal to the 
most important scientific expedition that ever sailed from 
Europe. 

After losing both captains, the ships reached the island 
of Jara, and were taken by the Dutch. Thus ended this 
disastrous expedition ; and no further steps were taken to 
ascertain the fate of the far-famed and ill-fated Count de 
la Perouse. 

Tn the year 1813, the Bengal ship Hunter, Captain Rob- 


136 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 


son, on a voyage from Calcutta to New South Wales and Can¬ 
ton, stopped at the Feeje islands. Mr. Dillon, chief officer, 
says— :i We discovered that several Europeans were living 
on the islands : some had been shipwrecked, some desert¬ 
ers, and some discharged from various vessels which had 
touched at the islands. We employed these men in the 
ship’s boats, in obtaining bteke cfe mer , sandal wood, &o. 
Unfortunately a misunderstanding arose between these 
men and the natives. A horrible affray occurred on the 
7th of September, in which all the Europeans were killed 
except myself, a man named Martin Bushart (a Prussian), 
and one of the ship’s crew. Martin Bushart and a Lascar, 
Achowlia, took refuge on board the Hunter; and request¬ 
ed Captain Robson to land them at the first island he 
touched at on the way to Canton. 

We sailed from the Feejes, and the first land we made 
proved to be the island of Tucopia, in latitude 12° 15' 
south, and east longitude 169°. We landed Martin Bush¬ 
art and the Lascar on this island the 20th September, 
1813. 

On the 13th of May, 1826, in command of my own ship, 
he St. Patrick, bound from Valparaiso to Pondicherry, I 
came in sight of the island of Tucopia. Prompted by cu¬ 
riosity, as well as regard for an old companion in danger, 
I hove my ship too off Tucopia, with the hope of ascertain¬ 
ing whether the persons left there in 1813 were still alive. 
Shortly a canoe put oft'from the land, and came alongside. 
In it was the Lascar. Immediately after another canoe 
came off with Martin Bushart, the Prussian. They were 
both in sound health, and were extremely rejoiced to see 
me. They informed me that the natives had treated them 
kindly ; that no ship had touched there from the time they 
were first landed, until about a year previous to my arri¬ 
val, when an English whaler visited the island for a short 
time, and a little after another whaler touched there. The 
Lascar had an old silver sword-guard, which he sold for a 
few fishing hooks to one of my crew. I inquired of the 
Prussian where it had come from. He told me, that on 
his first arrival on the island, he saw in the possession of 
the natives the sword-guard, several chain -plates belonging 
to a ship, also a number of iron bolts, fine axes, the handle 


ACCOUNT CV THE SHIPWRECK BY TilE NAT.YES. 137 

of a silver fork, a few knives, tea-cups, glass beads and 
bottles, one silver spoon with a crest and cypher, and a 
sword, all of French manufacture. He asked the natives 
how they obtained these articles, as they said the Hunter 
was the first ship they ever had communication with. They 
replied, that about two days sail in their canoes to leeward, 
there was a large group of islands under the general name 
of Manicola, to which they frequently made voyages, and 
obtained the articles from the natives of those islands. 
Upon examining the sword-guard minutely, I discovered, 
or thought I discovered, the initials ofPerouse stamped on 
it, which excited my suspicion, and made me more exact 
in my inquiries. I then, by means of Martin Bushart, 
questioned some of the islanders respecting the way in 
which their neighbors procured the silver and iron articles. 
They told me that the natives of Manicola stated, that many 
years ago two large ships arrived at their islands. One an¬ 
chored at the island of Whanow, and the other at the island 
of Parou, a little distance from each other. Some time af¬ 
ter they anchored, and before they had any communica¬ 
tion with the natives, a heavy gale arose, and both vessels 
were driven ashore. The ship that was anchored of Wha¬ 
now grounded upon the rocks. The natives came in crowds 
to the sea-side, armed with clubs, spears, and bows and 
arrows, and shot some arrows into the ship; and the crew 
in return fired the guns and some musquetry on them, and 
killed several. The vessel continuing to beat violently 
against the rocks, shortly went to pieces. Some of the 
crew took to their boats, and were driven on shore, whete 
they were to a man murdered on landing by the infuriated 
natives. Others threw themselves into the sea, so that 
none escaped out of this vessel. 

The ship which grounded on Parou was driven on a 
sandy beach, and the natives came down, and also shot 
their arrows into her; but the crew prudently did not re¬ 
sent the aggression, but held up axes, beads, and other 
toys, as peace-offerings; upon which the savages desisted 
from hostilities. 

The crew of the vessel were obliged to abandon her, and 
went on shore, bringing with them a great part of their 
6torcs. They remained for some time, and built a small 
12 * 


133 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 


vessel from the wreck of the large one. When the small 
vessel was completed, as many as she could hold got into 
her, and sailed away, being plentifully supplied with pro¬ 
visions by the islanders. Several of their shipmates were 
left behind, and the commander promised to return speedily 
to bring off the remainder of the crew ; but she was nevei 
heard of afterwards by the islanders. Those who remained 
of the crew distributed themselves among various chiefs, 
with whom they resided until their death. 

The Tucopians asserted, that a great number of the ar¬ 
ticles were on the islands, in a state of preservation, which 
originally were takep from the vessels. The Lascar had 
made two voyages to Manicola, and had conversed with 
two Europeans, who were very aged men ; who told him 
they had been wrecked many years ago in a ship, the remnants 
of which they showed him. They told him also, that no 
ship had stopped there ; and that most of their companions 
were dead; but they had been so scattered about the 
islands, that they did not know how many were living. On 
hearing so many circumstances, all tending to confirm the 
suspicions which I conceived from the moment I saw the 
silver sword-guard with the cypher, I determined to pro¬ 
ceed as quickly as possible to the Manicola islands, examine 
the wreck myself, and if possible bring off the two men of 
whom the Lascar spoke, who said they were French. Mar¬ 
tin Bushart being tired of leading a savage life, left the 
island with me. We sighted Manicola in a few days; but, 
unfortunately, it fell calm, and remained so for seven days. 
My provisions being nearly expended, and the ship very 
leaky, I was obliged to abandon the object of my research, 
and with difficulty reached Calcutta. 

Captain Dillon, upon his arrival in India, made a detailed 
statement of the facts which had come under his. observa¬ 
tion respecting those wrecks at Manicola, and the strong 
probability of their being the remains of La Perouse’s ex¬ 
pedition. Upon his proposition to go in search of the sur¬ 
vivors, the government of British India fitted out a vessel 
called the Research, and appointed him commander. lie 
sailed from Bengal in January, 1827. After stopping at 
Van Dieman’s Land, New Zealand, and the Friendly 
islands, the Research reached the island of Tucopia on the 
5th of Sentember. 


ARTICLES SAVED FROM THE WRECKS. 139 

The Lascar was still living, but could not be prevailed 
upon to accompany Captain Dillon to Manicola. 

Martin Bushart and a trading party procured the follow¬ 
ing articles from the Tucopians; which had been procured 
in their visits to the Manicola isles, viz.— 

Fourteen pieces of flat iron, beaten out with stones in a 
rude form by the islanders, into the shapes of coarse car¬ 
penter’s tools. 

One old sword blade, much rusted and worn by time. 
It appeared as if it had been for some years under water. 

One small piece of an old rasp, worn down smooth. 

One lather’s hammer, of European manufacture. 

One plain iron bolt, with a head. 

One screw-bolt. 

One spike-nail. 

One very old razor, and one china plate. 4 

One piece of copper, with three holes in it. 

One half of a brass globe. 

Four composition bells, or rather rattles—such as are 
used by the muleteers in Spain. 

Four composition bells, shaped after the fashion of those 
used in Christian churches, with the figure 2 engraved or 
stamped on both of them. 

One silver sword handle, with a large and a small cy¬ 
pher, apparently resembling a P, surmounted by a crown. 

The moment the silver handle of the sword was produced, 
both M. Chaigneau and I recognized it as belonging to the 
sword-guard taken by me to Calcutta in the St. Patrick— 
the cypher exactly corresponding. 

From this island the Research sailed for Manicola, and 
anchored on the cast side of the island on the 13th of Sep¬ 
tember, 1827. This island is very mountainous on the 
east and north sides, with the hills rising from the sea, and 
completely covered with jungle to the very top. Where 
there are clear spots the natives build their huts. The 
ship being safely moored, Captain Dillon immediately pro¬ 
secuted the object of his search. The crew were divided 
into five watches, and well armed, to prevent surprise. 
Fonts, commanded by a trading office*, were sent on shore 
to traffic for articles belonging to lbs shipwrecked vessels. 
During their absence the following ,v Vdes were purchased 


140 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROUSE. 


from the canoes which came alongside ;—One large ca.* 
penter’s maul; and a silver gravy-spoon of French make, 
with four stamps upon the shank. The upper part of the 
handle seemed to have had from two to three inches broken 
off, and the spoon itself was somewhat battered. I could 
clearly discover the stamp next to the head to be a ?, with 
part of a flower underneath ; the next stamp to this was a 
crown, with a flower underneath ; the third I made out to 
be a crown, with a figure attached, but unintelligible; 
and the fourth I could not decypher. Monsieur Chaigneau 
discovered among the cyphers a fleur-de-lis, and was clearly 
of opinion, from its shape and fashion, that the spoon was 
of French manufacture. 

Shortly after, my second officer purchased out of a canoe, 
part of the brass circle of a globe, with about one-third 
broken off. It was much worn by time, but the degrees 
and quarter-degrees remained undefaced. I also obtained 
a muleteer’s bell, similar to those purchased at Tucopia— 
together with the following articles, viz.— 

Two pieces of a ship’s large iron knees, with the thin 
parts broken off, the remainder being the elbow r or thick 
part. Two double-headed shot much oxydized. One 
large iron hook, such as is used on board of frigates for 
runners. Two pieces of the end or thin part of a ship’s iron 
knees. One large iron bolt, measuring three feet. One 
ditto, measuring two feet, with a hole in it, such as is used 
for boot’s cranes. One iron spike, sharpened by the na¬ 
tives for a small chisel; and two iron adzes of native, man¬ 
ufacture. 

The next day the following additional articles were pur¬ 
chased of the. natives, viz.— 

Two pieces of copper joined by a link, apparently ihe 
handle of a boiler. Two pieces of iron manufactured, and 
strongly resembling the hinges of a ship’s port. One large 
eye-bolt, with the shank broke short off, such as are used 
for gun-carriages to hook the tackles to ; and a great num¬ 
ber of pieces of iron bolts, battered into different shapes by 
the islanders. 

’ On the morning of the 16th of September, three armed 
boats were despatched, accompanied by Martin Bushart, to 
procure what articles and information they could of the 


•SHIPWRECK OY THE TWO FRIGATES 


141 


wrecks. At one P. M. the boats anchored off the village 
of Benimah, which is situated at the foot of a high hill 
Ssing abruptly from the sea. 



Shipwrtck of the Two Frigates on Hie Island of Manicola . 


Here they found all the hief men assembled ready to 
{»ive them an audience, 'i hey were conducted into the 
spirit-house (i. e. town-hall), when an aged chief, namtu 
OwuHic. rose and made the following statement. 















142 SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEEOUSE. 

:i A long time ago, the people of this island, upon coin¬ 
ing out one morning, saw part of a ship on the reef oppo¬ 
site Paiow, where it held together till the middle ol the 
day, when it was broken by the sea, fell to pieces, and 
large parts of it floated on shore along the coast. The ship 
got on the reef in the night, when it blew a tremendous 
hurricane, which broke down great numbers of our fruit 
trees. We had not seen the ship the day before. Four 
men were saved from her, and were on the beach at this 
place ; whom we were about to kill, supposing them spirits 
—when they made a present to our chief of something, 
and he saved their lives. They lived with us a short time, 
and then joined their people at Paiow, who built a small 
ship there, and went away in it. None of these four men 
were chiefs—they were only subordinate men. Those 
things which we sell you now have been procured from 
the ship wrecked on that reef, on which, at low water, our 
people were in the habit of diving and bringing up what 
they could find. Several pieces of the wreck floated on 
shore, from which we procured some things; but nothing 
nas been got from it for some time back, as it has become 
rotten, and been drifted away by the sea. We killed none 
of the ship’s people at this place; but several dead bodies 
were cast on shore, with the legs, and other members, mu¬ 
tilated by sharks. The same night another ship struck on 
a reef near Whanovv, and went down. There were several 
men saved from her, who built a little ship, and went away 
in five moons after the big one was lost. While building 
it they had a great fence of trees round them, to keep out 
the islanders ; who being equally afraid of them, they con¬ 
sequently kept up but little intercourse. The white men 
used often to look at the sun through something; but we 
have none of those things. Two white men remained be¬ 
hind after the rest went away—the one a chief, the other 
a common man, who used to attend on the white chief, 
who died about three years ago. The chief with whom 
the white man resided was obliged, about two years and a 
half ago, to fly from this country, and was accompanied by 
the white man. The only white people the inhabitants of 
these islands have ever seen, were, first, the people of 
the wrecked vessels; and secondly, those now before me.” 


MORE ARTICLES SAVED FROM THE WRECK. 


143 


On the flooi of the spirit-house mats were spread, on 
which the following articles were by the natives exhibited 
for sale, viz.— 

Four ship’s iron knees, with the flat parts broken off 
Two iron rudders. Braces for the stern post of a large 
ship, with the thin parts broken off. The crown of a small 
anchor, with five inches and a half of the shank, and nino 
inches of the arm attached to it. The upper part of the 
shank of a small anchor, with the ring attached. A side 
of a large vice, such as is used by blacksmiths. Eighteen 
inches of the upper part of a crow, with the claw attached. 
One piece of an iron grating, nineteen inches. The half of 
an iron ring. One piece of iron, mounted to a shark hock 
by the islanders. One brass sheave for a topmast, in good 
condition. One small brass mortar, of four inches calibre, 
in good condition. One copper sauce-pan, with the han¬ 
dle broken off. Three stew pans. One square copper 
vessel, which formerly had a handle at every side. Two 
pieces of broken china-ware, that seemingly belonged to a 
large china jar. One silver vessel weighing twenty ounces, 
of an elliptical shape, somewhat resembling a sauce boat, 
with the fleur-de-lis stamped upon it in two dilferent 
places, besides other ornamental flowers. 

All these things were procured in exchange for iron¬ 
mongery, cutlery, and other European articles of barter. 

On the 19th three whale boats were sent on an expedi¬ 
tion round the island, commanded by the draughtsman. 
In the course of the day we were visited by several canoes. 
For a chisel and a small piece of red cloth, I procured from 
them one half of a Chinese curry dish, ornamented with 
figures of flowers, fishes, and a bird. I also procured an 
iron knee, with the remains of two bolt holes in it—making 
the eighth which we had received since our arrival at the 
island. The use of iron knees was entirely confined to 
king’s ships at the time of the wreck of La Perouse. The 
next day I procured from the natives a cold chisel, fitted 
with a handle like a hand hammer. In the afternoon the 
boats arrived, having circumnavigated the island, and pro¬ 
cured the following articles, viz.— 

A number of pieces of bolt iron, from three to nine feet 
long. One remains of a very large eye-bolt. One piece 


144 SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA P'EUOCSE. 

resembling a lever. One ditto, with a forelock hole On© 
ditto, like the horse of a long boat. Three large spikes, 
converted into fish-hooks by the natives. One iron stan 
chion, with the ears complete. Three heads of double 
headed shot. One wedge. Two carpenter’s mauls. One 
small caulking iron. Three large sized hooks, for ship’s 
tackle blocks. One small ditto. One swivel of a small 
gun. One large brace for a ship’s stern, curiously cased 
with a composition of brass, lead, &e. 

The above described brace was large enough for a ship 
of a thousand tons. The following are the copper, brass, 
and leaden articles received by the boats, viz.— 

One small brass bell, diameter eight inches, without a 
tongue, having three Jleur-de-Us cast upon it. A large 
brass ship’s bell, twelve inches and a half in diameter, with 
a piece broken out of the head, and without a tongue. 
On the front of this bell were cast the holy cross erect, 
between the Virgin Mary and the image of a holy man 
bearing a small cross. To the right of the large cross are 
the following words—“ Bazin m’a fait” “ Bazin made me.” 
One small brass gun, of two inches calibre, so foul with 
verdigris as to render it impossible to make out what fig¬ 
ures were cast on it. One circular brass, with teeth or 
cogs on the inside. One piece of brass bent into a hook. 
One pewter vessel. One piece of a ship’s deep sea lead. 
One copper fish kettle, with cover and handle complete, 
stamped on one side with three fleur-de-lis. One copper 
ladle without a handle. One sauce-pan, without cover or 
handles, with two fleur-de-lis stamped on it. One copper 
purser’s scale. One piece of a copper funnel. One pur¬ 
ser’s wooden scale, for weighing provisions, turned. 

The boats proceeded to Paiow, where the small vessel 
was said to have been built. They found it a low level 
tand, extending along the sea-coast two miles in an east 
and west direction. The plain extends inland two or three 
miles, and is thickly covered with wood, except a small 
clear spot. Some of the trees are enormously large. 
Through this plain there runs a small river, into which the 
tide flows. The dear spot of ground just alluded to, the 
nrea of which may ae about one square acre, is fronted on 
the south bv the sea. on the east by the river, on the north 


SPOT WHERE THE VESSEL WAS BUILT 


145 


and west by woods. It is the best adapted place on the 
island either to build or launch a vessel at. Here our two 
guides said that the vessel was built and launched ; and I 
do not doubt the truth of their account, it being the only 
clear spot on the whole coast, and evidently made so by 
human hands. I examined all the place carefully for the 
jemains of a stone or wooden fortification; but could not 
trace anything of the kind. If the fence was built of wood, 



/ : r of the ,y; where the Timber was cut to build the small l esseu 


it has had time enough, in forty years exposure to the 
weather, to be rotted away and totally annihilated ; and 
there is neither a stone nor rock in the neighborhood with 
which to build one more durable. The search for inscrip 
tions was equally fruitless, as the trees about the clear spot 
are not large enough to admit of one, and there are no 
rocks about there Every soot was examined minutely * 
13 























146 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROuSfi. 


but no traces were discovered of any Europeans ever nav- 
ing been there. The trees on the bank of the river were 
also examined, but no traces of any inscription were found. 
I saw up the river, however, the stumps of trees that had 
been cut down with axes many years before, and of which 
I have no doubt the vessel was built which the natives 
speak of. In the course of conversation with two Deni- 
mah chiefs, I learned that the wood of which the vessel 
was built was cut up the river, and rafted down the stream 
to the clear spot. 

On the 30 th, at eight o’clock A. M., I sailed with four 
boats and thirty armed men, for the purpose of making a 
complete survey of the island and reefs, so as to ascertain, 
if possible, the exact spot on which the two ships had been 
wrecked. On arriving at the village of Whanow, we found 
the inhabitants engaged in a turtle feast. From them we 
purchased a small turned wooden vessel, and the bottom 
of a silver candlestick, with a coat of arms on it. One of 
the natives went into his house, and pulled from the fire¬ 
side a thick sheet of copper, three feet and a half square, 
for which we gave him a large axe. Being in want of 
water, two men from each boat landed with the water 
kegs, and went up to the nearest house. On passing it, 
one of our people called out in Spanish, Here is a fleur- 
de-lis which M. Chaigneau and I, who followed and un¬ 
derstood him, desired him to point out. He directed our 
attention to the door of a house, where we saw at the bot¬ 
tom of the threshold a decayed piece of fir or pine plank, 
with a fleur-de-lis and other ornamental work upon it. It 
had probably formed part of a ship’s stern, and when com¬ 
plete exhibited the national arms of France. Its length 
was four feet, and breadth thirteen inches. It was placed 
upon its edge to barricade the passage, for the double pur¬ 
pose of keeping the pigs out and the children in the house. 
This was bought for a hatchet. One of the officers shortly 
informed me, that he saw a grinding stone of European 
manufacture lying by the door of one of the native’s houses ; 
whither I followed him, and found a small mill-stone, such 
as is used for grinding grain. The account published by 
the French government of the fitting out of La Perouse’s 
expedition, states that he was furnished with several pans 


MORE ARTICLES FOUND. 


147 


of grinding stones. This forms a strong link in the chain 
of circumstances, that go to fix the identity of the ships 
lost at Manicola. A large copper boiler, and many other 
articles, were purchased at this village. 

After arriving at the river on which it was said the small 
ship was built, I inquired in what place it was built. Some 
of the aged men pointed to a hollow in the west bank of 
the river, assuring me that was the place. This hollow 
might be fifty fathoms on the left hand within the mouth 
of the river; and from the general appearance of the 
country, there exists the greatest probability of the truth of 
this information. Except this solitary spot, which was clear 
from the sea-side, the whole prospect on the coast presented 
to view an uninterrupted forest and impervious underwood. 
The clear space extended about seventy fathoms in a north 
and south direction along the bank of the river, and per¬ 
haps one hundred and twenty fathoms east and west along 
the head of the bay. 

Two boats proceeded to the reef where one of the ships 
was wrecked. Several canoes of natives were already 
there. On reaching the reef we went up to the canoes, 
the people in which succeeded in procuring three small 
brass guns; and one of the sailors found a fourth lying in 
a hollow, covered with two or three feet of water, where 
the natives report the ship was wrecked. They were paid 
for the guns they had found ; and one of their canoes was 
detained, on account of its light draught of water, to skim 
the surface of the reef, in search of further remains of the 
wreck. The following articles were found on the reef by 
the natives and boats’ crews, viz.— 

Four brass guns. One large shot, eighteen pounds. One 
leathern cistern for a ship’s head. One piece of lead pipe. 
Seven pieces of the stern head of a ship. Two copper 
links with handles. One small sheet of copper. Two old- 
fashioned shoe buckles. One Spanish dollar nearly coated 
with coral. A surgeon’s tourniquet. One earthen brick. 
The socket of a brass candlestick. Together with a num¬ 
ber of fragments of glass, china, iron, and copper. 

The next day the boats sailed for Paiow. At ebb tide 
in the evening we stood out for the reef, and were con- 
ducled by the natives to the spot where we picked up the 


48 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA jpEROfJSE 


guns yesterday. They said that one ship was lost h» 2, 
and the other farther to the westward ; but from the iat-er 
nothing was saved. Here we found two other openings m 
the reef, about a mije apart, each large enough to admit 
ships of the greatest size clear of all danger. Night now 
approaching, and the tide not having sufficiently ebbed to 
admit of further search, we stood in for Paiow, where we 
anchored for the night. 

In the morning we sailed out at daylight to the reef; 
and as the tide ebbed made a diligent search, and found 
the under-mentioned articles.—One joint or upper part of 
a composition pump, with the figure 4 engraved on it. 
Four feet of the iron tiller of a ship, with a round hole in 
the end for the tackle blocks. One gun’s leaden apron. 
One brick. A circular piece of brass. One brass guard 
for a musket trigger. A piece of brass tube much bruised. 
Several gun flints. Some beads, and a great number of 
glass, china, and metal fragments. 

After remaining at Manicola twenty-five days, and pro¬ 
curing numerous other articles belonging to the wrecks, 
and searching the island and rocks closely for inscriptions 
or monuments, to identify to a certainty who the sufferers 
were, Captain Dillon sailed to other islands in search of the 
surviving man, so as to rescue him from savage society if 
he yet lived. Before departing, a great number of old 
people were interrogated as to the circumstances of the 
shipwrecked strangers, their proceedings, and departure 
from Manicola. They to a man corroborated the state¬ 
ment of the aged Owallie in all its particulars. A number 
of islands were visited, and inquiries made after the white 
man who left Manicola ; but no satisfactory answers could 
be got from the natives. The Research now proceeded to 
India—where Captain Dillon was congratulated on the suc¬ 
cessful result of his enterprise. He landed his relics at 
Calcutta; where they were examined by the governor and 
council of India, and the learned societies of Asia, who un¬ 
hesitatingly pronounced them remnants of La Perouse’s 
unfortunate expedition. The captain’s enterprise and per¬ 
severance were applauded in high terms by the government 
of India, and he was recommended to proceed directly to 
Europe. Accordingly he arrived in England, from whence 


INTERVIEW WITH THE KING. 


149 


he proceeded to Fiance with the relics. On arriving at 
Paris, he delivered the articles to the minister of marine; 
who, on taking charge of them, informed him that they 
were to be placed in a cenotaph, to be erected in the Na¬ 
tional Museum. Soon after, Captain Dillon received a 
communication from the minister of marine, informing him 
that his most Christian Majesty Charles X, as a mark of 
his approval of his services, was pleased to confer on him 
tlie order of knighthood, a Chevalier of the Legion of 
Honor, with a sufficient sum in cash to defray the expenses 
of his voyage to Europe ; also an annuity of four thousand 
francs per annum for life, and half that amount to his 
family in case they should survive him. “ I was now,” 
says the Chevalier Dillon, taken to the French court, and 
was presented to the king, who received me very gracious¬ 
ly, and conversed with me upon the subject of my voyage. 
He was well acquainted with the history of La Perouse’s 
expedition, and addressed several judicious questions to 
me respecting the loss of that celebrated navigator; and 
inquired what was my opinion as to the probability of any 
of the crew being yet alive on the Solomon islands. Upon 
my withdrawing, he said, ‘ Good bye, Captain Dillon; I 
thank you.’ While at Paris I met several times with the 
Viscount Sesseps, who is the only person of La Perouse’s 
expedition now known to be alive. He was attached to it 
twenty-six months, and was landed at Kamtschatka, to con¬ 
vey despatches and the charts and journals to France up 
to that date. He is now sixty-five years of age, and in 
good health. lie accompanied me one day to the admi¬ 
ralty, for the purpose of viewing the relics procured at 
Manicola, which he examined minutely. The piece of 
board with the fleur-de-lis on it, he observed, had most 
probably once formed a part of the ornamental work of 
Boussole’s stern, on which the national arms of France 
were represented. The silver sword handle and silver 
spoon he also examined, and said that such swords were 
worn by the officers of the expedition. With regard to 
the brass guns, having looked at them attentively, he ob¬ 
served that the four largest were such as stood on the 
quarter-deck of both ships; and that the smallest gun vyas 
rich as they had mounted in the long-boats when going 
13 * 


150 


SINGULAR FATE OF COUNT LA PEROT 


on shore among the savages. On noticing the small mill* 
stone, he turned round suddenly and expressed his sur¬ 
prise, exclaiming, ‘ This is the best thing you have got! 
We had some of them mounted on the quarter-deck to 
grind our grain.’ ” 

Thus the fate of La Perouse, after being involved in 
mystery for forty years, was ascertained. Some clue may 
yet be found, by which the fate of those who departed 
from Manicola in the small vessel can be ascertained. That 
one of the chief officers and crew remained at the island, 
and survived the catastrophe till within three years of Cap¬ 
tain Dillon’s visit, is certain. There is a strong probability 
of that officer’s being La Perouse himself. After a series 
of disasters, which terminated so fatally to the expedition, 
he would not be likely to desire to return to France, where 
so much was anticipated from the results of the voyage to 
geography and science. The deepest interest has always 
existed, and a strong belief ever pervaded the public mind, 
that these distinguished navigators still existed on some 
unknown islands of the ocean. However void of founda¬ 
tion this belief seemed to many, it however was a true one. 

At the very time of Captain Dillon’s visit to Manicola, 
a French ship, called the Astrolabe, was sent to look after 
the remains of La Perouse’s expedition. Upon hearing ot 
the discovery, she proceeded to Manicola after Captain 
Dillon had left. She succeeded in weighing an anchor oi 
18 cwt.; a short gun, an eight pounder; a pig of lead ; 
and two brass swivels. Certain that this was the spot 
where La Perouse was wrecked, the captain caused a mon¬ 
ument to be erected, with this inscription—“ To the mem¬ 
ory of La Perouse and his companions. The Astrolabe, 
March 4th, 1818.” 

















































































explosion on board the Helen Me Gregor. 






























































































































































































FATAL EXPLOSION OF THE BOILER 

ON BOARD 

THE STEAM BOAT 

HELEN MACGREGOR, 

At Memphis , on the Mississippi. 


The following is a description, by a passenger, of one ol 
the most fatal steam boat disasters that has ever occurred 
on the western waters. 

On the morning of the 24th of February, 1830, the 
Helen McGregor stopped at Memphis, on the Mississippi 
river, to deliver freight and land a number of passengers, 
who resided in that section of Tennessee. The time occu¬ 
pied in so doing could not have exceeded three quarters ot 
an hour. When the boat landed, I went ashore to see a 
gentleman with whom I had some business. I found him 
on the beach, and after a short conversation, I returned to 
the boat. I recollect looking at my watch as I passed the 
gang-way. It was half past eight o’clock. A great num¬ 
ber of persons were standing on what is called the boiler 
deck, being that part of the upper deck situated immedi¬ 
ately over the boilers. It was crowded to excess, and pre¬ 
sented one dense mass of human bodies. In a few minutes 
we sat down to breakfast in the cabin. The table, although 
extending the whole length of the cabin, was completely 
filled, there being upwards of sixty cabin passengers, among 
whom were several ladies and children. The number of 
passengers on board, deck and cabin united, was between 
lour and five hundred. I had almost finished my break¬ 
fast, when the pilot rung his bell for the engineer to put 
the machinery in motion. The boat having just shoved 
ofT, I was in the act of raising my cup to my lips, the ting¬ 
ling of the pilot bell yet on my car, when I heard an ex- 



154 


STEAM BOAT HELEN' MACGREGCB. 


plosion, resembling the discharge of a small piece of artil¬ 
lery. The report was perhaps louder than usual in such 
cases ; for an exclamation was half uttered by me, that the 
gun was well loaded, when the rushing sound of steam, 
and the rattling of glass in some of the cabin windows, 
checked my speech, and told me too well what had oc¬ 
curred. I almost involuntarily bent my head and body 
down to the floor—a vague idea seemed to shoot across 
my mind that more than one boiler might burst, and that 
by assuming this posture, the destroying matter would pass 
over without touching me. 

The general cry of, “ a boiler has burst,” resounded from 
one end of the table to the other; and, as if by a simulta¬ 
neous movement, all started on their feet. Then com¬ 
menced a general race to the ladies’ cabin, which lay more 
towards the stern of the boat. All regard to order or def¬ 
erence to sex seemed to be lost in the struggle for which 
should be first and farthest removed from the dreaded 
boilers. The danger had already passed away. I remained 
standing by the chair on which I had been previously sit¬ 
ting. Only one or two persons staid in the cabin with me. 
As yet no more than half a minute had elapsed since the 
explosion; but, in that brief space, how had the scene 
changed ! In that drop of time” what confusion, distress,' 
and dismay! An instant before, and all were in the quiet 
repose of security—another, and they were overwhelmed 
with alarm or consternation. It is but justice to say, that 
in this scene of terror, the ladies exhibited a degree of firm¬ 
ness worthy of all praise. No screaming, no fainting—• 
their fears, when uttered, were not for themselves, but for 
their husbands and children. 

1 advanced from my position to one of the cabin doors 
for the purpose of inquiring who were injured, when, just 
as I reached it, a man entered at the opposite one, both 
his hands covering his face, and exclaiming, a Oh God ! oh 
God ! I am ruined !” He immediately began to tear off ins 
clothes. When stripped, he presented a most shocking 
spectacle : his face was entirely black—his body without a 
particle of skin. He had been flayed alive. He gave me 
his name, and place of abode—then sunk in a state of ex¬ 
haustion and agony on the floor. I assisted in placing him 


DKKADf'UL CONDITION OF THE Sl’FFKRKlU 


155 


on a mattress taken from one of the berths, and covered 
nim with blankets. He complained of heat and cold as at 
once oppressing him. He bore his torments with manly 
fortitude, yet a convulsive shriek would occasionally burst 
front him. His wife, his children, were his constant theme 
—i was hard to die without seeing them—“ it was hard to 
go ./ithout bidding them one farewell.” Oil and cotton 
were applied to his wounds; but he soon became insensi¬ 
ble to earthly misery. Before I had done attending to him, 
the whole floor of the cabin was covered with unfortunate 
sufferers. Some bore up under the horrors of their situa¬ 
tion with a degree of resolution amounting to heroism. 
Others were wholly overcome by the sense of pain, the sud¬ 
denness of the disaster, and the near approach of death, 
which even to them was evident—whose pangs they al¬ 
ready felt. Some implored us, as an act of humanity, to 
complete the work of destruction, and free them from pres¬ 
ent suffering. One entreated the presence of a clergyman, 
to pray by him, declaring he was not fit to die. I inquired 
—none could be had. On every side were heard groans, 
and mingled exclamations of grief and despair. 

To add to the confusion, persons were every moment 
running about to learn the fate of their friends and relatives 
—fathers, sons, brothers—for in this scene of unmixed ca¬ 
lamity, it was impossible to say who were saved, or who 
had perished. The countenances of many were so much 
disfigured as to be past recognition. My attention, after 
some time, was particularly drawn towards a poor fellow, 
who lay unnoticed on the floor, without uttering a single 
word of complaint. He was at a little distance removed 
from the rest. He was not much scalded; but one of his 
thighs was broken, and a principal artery had been severed, 
from which the blood was gushing rapidly. He betrayed 
no displeasure at the apparent neglect with which he was 
treated—he was perfectly calm. I spoke to him: he said 
“ he was very weak, but felt himself going—it would soon 
be over.” A gentleman ran for one of the physicians. He 
came, and declared that if expedition were used, he might 
be preserved by amputating the limb; but that, to effect 
this, it would be necessary to remove him from the boat. 
Unfortunately the boat was not sufficiently near to run a 


156 


STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 


plank ashore. We were obliged to wait until it could be 
close hauled. I stood by him, calling for help. We placed 
him on a mattress, and bore him to the guards. There we 
were detained some time from the cause we have men¬ 
tioned. Never did any thing appear to me so slow as the 
movements of those engaged in hauling the boat. 

I knew, and he knew, that delay was death—that life 
was fast ebbing. I could not take my gaze from his face 
•—there all was coolness and resignation. No word or ges¬ 
ture indicative of impatience escaped him. He perceived 
by my loud, and perhaps angry tone of voice, how much I 
was excited by what 1 thought the barbarous slowness of 
those around : he begged me not to take so much trouble 
—that they were doing their best. At length we got him 
on shore. It was too late—he was too much exhausted, 
and died immediately after the amputation. 

So soon as I was relieved from attending on those in the 
cabin, I went to examine that part of the boat wheie the 
boiler had burst. It was a complete wreck—a picture ol 
destruction. It bore ample testimony to the tremendous 
force of that power which the ingenuity of man had brought 
to his aid. The steam had given every thing a whitish 
hue ; the boilers were displaced ; the deck had fallen down ; 
the machinery was broken and disordered. Bricks, dirt, 
and rubbish, were scattered about. Close by the bowsprit 
was a large rent, through which I was told the boiler, after 
exploding, had passed out, carrying one or two men in its 
mouth. Several dead bodies were lying around. Their 
fate had been an enviable one compared with that of others: 
they could scarcely have been conscious of a pang ere they 
had ceased to be. On the starboard wheel-house lay a 
human body, in which life was not yet extinct, though ap¬ 
parently there was no sensibility remaining. The body 
must have been thrown from the boiler-deck, a distance of 
thirty feet. The whole of the forehead had been blown 
away : the brains were still beating. Tufts of hair, shreds 
of clothing, and splotches of blood might be seen in every 
direction. A piece of skin was picked up by a gentleman 
on board, which appeared to have been pealed ofF by the 
force of the steam It extended from the middle of the 
arm down to the tips of the fingers, ti,e nails adhering to 


NUMBER OF PERSONS WHO PERISHED. 


157 


it. So dreadful had been the force, that not a particle ol 
the flesh adhered to it. The most skilful operator could 
scarcely have effected such a result. Several died from 
inhaling the steam or gas, whose skin was almost unin 
] u red. 

The number of lives lost, will, in all probability, never 
be distinctly known. Many were seen flung into the river, 
most of whom sunk to rise no more. Could the survivors 
have been kept together until the list of passengers was 
called, the precise loss would have been ascertained. That 
however, though it had been attempted, would, under the 
circumstances, have been ne.\t to impossible. 

Judging from the crowd which I saw on the boiler-deck 
immediately before the explosion, and the statement which 
I received as to the number of those who succeeded in 
swimming out after they were cast into the river, I am in¬ 
clined to believe that between fifty and sixty must have 
perished. 

The cabin passengers escaped, owing to the peculiar 
construction of the boat. Just behind the boilers were 
several large iron posts, supporting, I think, the boiler- 
deck : across each post was a large circular plate of iron of 
between one and two inches in thickness. One of these 
posts was placed exactly opposite the head of the boiler 
which burst, being the second one on the starboard side. 
Against this plate the head struck, and penetrated to the 
depth of an inch ; then broke, and flew olf at an angle, en¬ 
tering a cotton bale to the depth of a foot. The boiler 
head was in point blank range with the breakfast table in 
the cabin ; and had it not been obstructed by the iron post, 
mils have made a clear sweep of those who were seated 
at the tab«e. 

To render any satisfactory account of the cause winch 
produced the explosion, can hardly be expected from one 
who possesses no scientific or practical knowledge on the 
subject, and who previously thereto was paying no atten¬ 
tion to the management of the boat. The captain appeared 
to lie very active and diligent in attending to ins duty. He 
was on the boiler deck when the explosion occurred, was 
materially injured by that event, and must have been igno¬ 
rant of the mismanagement, if any there were. 

I 1 


1.58 


STEAM BOAT HELEN MACGREGOR. 


From the engineer alone could the true explanation be 
afforded; and, if indeed it was really attributable to neg¬ 
ligence, it can scarcely be supposed he will lay the blame 
on himself. If I might venture a suggestion in relation 
thereto, I would assign the following causes:—That the 
water in the starboard boilers had become low, in conse¬ 
quence of that side of the boat resting upon the ground 
during our stay at Memphis; that, though the fires were 
kept up some time before we shoved oft', that the head 
which burst had been cracked for a considerable time ; that 
the boiler was extremely heated, and the water, thrown in 
when the boat was again in motion, was at once converted 
into steam ; and the flues not being sufficiently large to 
carry it off as soon as it was generated, nor the boiler head 
of a strength capable of resisting its action, the explosion 
was a natural result. 

















































































































































































































































































































































































































































































b U II N I N G 


OK 


T II E 8 111 P K E N'T, 


In the Bay of Biscay . 


The Kent, Captain Henry Cobb, a fine new ship of one 
thousand three hundred and fifty tons, bound to Bengal 
and China, left the Downs on the 19th of February, with 
twenty officers, three hundred and forty-four soldiers, forty- 
three women, and sixty-six children, belonging to the 
thirty-first regiment; with twenty private passengers, and 
a crew (including officers) of one hundred and forty-eight 
men on board. 

On the night of Monday, the 28th of February, 1827, 
when the Kent was in latitude 47 deg. 30 min., longitude 
10 deg., a violent gale blew from the west, and gradually 
increased during the following morning. The rolling ol 
the vessel became tremendous about midnight, so that the 
best fastened articles of furniture in the principal cabin? 
were dashed about with violence, and the main chains were 
thrown at every lurch under water. 

It was a little before this period, that one of the officers 
of the ship, with the well-meant intention of ascertaining 
that all was fast below, descended with two of the sailors 
into the hold, where they carried with them, for safety, a 
light in the patent lanthorn ; and seeing that the lamp 
burned dimly, the officer took the precaution to hand it up 
the orlop-deck to be trimmed. Having afterwards discov¬ 
ered one of the spirit casks to be adrift, he sent the sailors 
for some billets of wood to secure it; but the ship in their 
absence having made a heavy lurch, the officer unfortu¬ 
nately dropped the light; and letting go his hold ol the 
ca.>k in his eagerness to recover the lanthorn, it suddenly 

14 * 



162 


BURNING OF THE KENT. 


stove, and the spirits communicating with the lamp, the 
whole place was instantly in a blaze. 

It so happened, that the author went into the cuddy to 
observe the state of the barometer, when he received from 
Captain Spence, the captain of the day, the alarming in¬ 
telligence that the ship was on fire in the after hold. As 
] ong as the devouring element appeared to be con¬ 
fined to the spot where the fire originated, and which 
we w T ere assured was surrounded on all sides by water 
casks, we ventured to cherish hopes that it might be sub¬ 
dued ; but no sooner was the light blue vapor, that at first 
arose, succeeded by volumes of thick dingy smoke, which 
speedily ascended through all the four hatchways, rolling 
over every part of the ship, than all further concealment 
became impossible, and almost all hope of preserving the 
vessel was abandoned. “ The flames have reached the 
cable tier,” was exclaimed by some individuals, and the 
strong pitchy smell that pervaded the deck, confirmed the 
truth of the exclamation. 

In these awful circumstances, Captain Cobb, with an 
ability and decision of character that seemed to increase 
with the imminence of the danger, resorted to the only al¬ 
ternative now left him, of ordering the lower deck to be 
scuttled, the combing of the hatches to be cut, and the 
lower ports to be opened, for the free admission of the 
waves. 

These instructions were speedily executed by the united 
efforts of the troops and seamen ; but not before some of 
the sick soldiers, one woman, and several children, unable 
to gain the upper deck, had perished. On descending to 
the gun-deck with Colonel Fearon, Captain Bray, and one 
or two other officers of the thirty-first regiment, to assist 
in opening the ports, I met, staggering towards the hatch¬ 
way, in an exhausted and nearly senseless state, one of the 
mates, who informed us that he had just stumbled over the 
dead bodies of some individuals who must have died from 
suffocation, to which it was evident that he himself had 
almost fallen a victim. So dense and oppressive was the 
smoke, that it was with the utmost difficulty we could re¬ 
main long enough below to fulfil Captain Cobb’s wishes ; 
which were no sooner accomplished, than the sea rushed 


CONDITION OF THE SHIP’S COMPANY. 163 

m with extraordinary force, carrying away in its resistless 
progress to the hold, the largest chests, bulk-heads, &c. 

On the one hand stood death by fire, on the other, death 
by water: the dilemma was dreadful. Preferring always 
the more remote alternative, the unfortunate crew were at 
one moment attempting to check the fire by means of wa¬ 
ter ; and when the water became the most threatening 
enemy, their efforts were turned to the exclusion of the 
waves, and the fire was permitted to rage with all its fury. 

The scene of horror that now presented itself baffles all 
description. The upper deck was covered with between 
six and seven hundred human beings; many of whom, from 
previous sea-sickness, were forced on the first alarm to flee 
from below in a state of absolute nakedness, and were now 
running about in quest of husbands, children, or parents. 

While some were standing in silent resignation, or in 
stupid insensibility to their impending fate, others were 
yielding themselves up to the most frantic despair. Some 
on their knees were earnestly imploring, with significant 
gesticulations and in noisy supplications, the mercy of Him, 
whose arm, they exclaimed, was at length outstretched to 
smite them ; others were to be seen hastily crossing them¬ 
selves, and performing the various external acts required 
by their peculiar persuasion ; while a number of the older 
and more stout hearted sailors took their seats directly 
over the magazine, hoping, as they stated, that by means 
of the explosion, which they every instant expected, a 
speedier termination might thereby be put to their suf¬ 
ferings. 

Captain Cobb, with great forethought, ordered the deck 
to be scuttled forward, with a view to draw the fire in that 
direction, knowing that between it and the magazine were 
several tiers of water casks; while he hoped that (he wet 
sails, &c., thrown a\ the after hold, would prevent it from 
communicating with the spirit room abaft. 

Several of the soldiers’ wives and children, who had 
fled for temporary shelter into the after cabins on the upper 
deck, were engaged in praying and in reading the scrip¬ 
tures with the ladies, some of whom were enabled with 
wonderful self-possession, to offer to others those spiritual 
consolations, which a firm and intelligent trust in the Re- 


iOl 


Brns’iNu of run rent. 


deemer of the world appeared al this awful hour to nnpat* 
to their own breasts. 

All hope had departed—the employment of the different 
individuals indicated utter despair of rescue—one was re¬ 
moving a lock of hair from his writing desk to his bosom— 
others were awaiting their fate in stupor—some with manly 
fortitude—others bewailing it with loud and bitter lamen¬ 
tation—and part were occupied in prayer and mutual en¬ 
couragement. 

It was at this appalling instant, when “ all hope that vve 
should be saved was taken away,” that it occurred to Mr. 
Thompson, the fourth mate, to send a man to the foretop, 
rather with the ardent wish than the expectation, that some 
friendly sail might be discovered on the face of the waters. 
The sailor, on mounting, threw his eyes round the Horizon 
for a moment—a moment of unutterable suspense—and 
waving his hat, exclaimed, 44 A sail on the lee-bow!” The 
joyful announcement was received with deep-felt thanks¬ 
giving, and with three cheers upon deck. Our flags of 
distress were instantly hoisted, and our minute guns fired ; 
and we endeavored to bear down under our three topsails 
and foresail upon the stranger, which afterwards proved to 
be the Cambria, a small brig of two hundred tons burthen, 
Captain Cook, bound to Vera Cruz, having on board 
twenty or thirty Cornish miners, and other agents of tbe 
Anglo-Mexican company. 

While Captain Cobb, Colonel Fearon, and Major Mac 
gregor of the thirty-first regiment, were consulting together 
as the brig was approaching us, on the necessary prepara¬ 
tions for getting out the boats, &,c., one of the officers 
asked Major M. in what order it was intended the officers 
should move off. To which the other replied, 44 Of course 
the funeral order which injunction was instantly con¬ 
firmed by Colonel Fearon, who said, 44 Most undoubtedly 
the juniors first; but see that any man is cut down who 
presumes to enter the boats before the means of escape 
are presented to the women and children.” 

Arrangements having been considerately made by Cap¬ 
tain Cobb, for placing in the first boat, previous to letting 
it down, all the ladies, and as many of the soldiers’ wives 
as it could safely contain, they hurriedly wrapped them 


LOWERING of the cutter. 


165 


selves up in whatever article of clothing could be most con¬ 
veniently found; and I think about .two, or hall past two 
o’clock, a most mournful procession advanced from the af¬ 
ter cabins to the starboard cuddy port, outside of which the 
cutter was suspended. Scarcely a word was heard—not a 
scream was uttered—even the infants ceased to cry, as if 
conscious of the unspoken and unspeakable anguish that 
was at this instant rending the hearts of the parting parents 
—nor was the silence of voices in any way broken, except 
in one or two cases, when the ladies plaintively entreated 
to be left behind with their husbands. But on being as¬ 
sured that every moment’s delay might occasion the sacri¬ 
fice of human life, they successively suffered themselves to 
be torn from the tender embrace, and with a fortitude 
which never fails to characterize and adorn their sex on 
occasions of overwhelming trial, were placed, without a 
murmur, in the boat, which was immediately lowered into 
a sea so tempestuous, as to leave us only u to hope against 
hope” that it should live in it for a single moment. Twice 
the cry was heard from those on the chains, that the boat 
was swamping. But he who enabled the apostle Peter to 
walk on the face of the deep, and was graciously attending 
to the silent but earnest aspirations of those on board, had 
decreed its safety. 

After one or two unsuccessful attempts to place the little 
frail bark fairly upon the surface of the water, the command 
was at length given to unhook. The tackle at the stern 
was in consequence immediately cleared; but the ropes at 
the bow having got foul, the sailor there found it impossi¬ 
ble to obey the order. In vain was the axe applied to the 
entangled tackle. The moment was inconceivably critical; 
as the boat, which necessarily followed the motions of the 
ship, was gradually rising out of the water, and must, in 
another instant, have been hanging perpendicularly by the 
bow, and its helpless passengers launched in the deep, had 
not a most providential wave suddenly struck and lifted up 
the stern, so as to enable the seaman to disengage the 
tackle; and the boat beir- • dexterously cleared from the 
ship, was seen, after a littl. vhile, battling with the billows 
—now raised, in its progress to the brig, 1 ke a speck on 


*66 


BUKNING 01-' TifE KEN 1 , 


their summit, and then disappearing for several seconds, as 
if engulphed “ in the horrid vale” between them. 

Two or three soldiers, to relieve their wives of a part of 
their families, sprang into the water with their children, 
and perished in their endeavors to save them. One young 
kdy, who had resolutely refused to quit her father, whose 
sense of duty kept him at his post, was near falling a sacri¬ 
fice to her filial devotion, not having been picked up by 
those in the boats until she had sunk five or six times. 
Another individual, who was reduced to the frightful alter¬ 
native of losing his wife or his children, hastily decided in 
favor of his duty to the former. His wife was accordingly 
saved, but his four children, alas ! were left to perish. A fine 
fellow, a soldier, who had neither wife nor child of his own, 
but who evinced the greatest solicitude for the safety of 
those of others, insisted on having three children lashed to 
him, with whom he plunged into the water. Not being 
able to reach the boat, he was drawn again into the ship 
with his charge, but not before two of the children had ex¬ 
pired. One man fell down the hatchway into the flames, 
and another had his back so completely broken, as to have* 
been observed quite doubled falling overboard. The nu¬ 
merous specimens of individual loss and suffering, were 
not confined to the entrance upon the perilous voyage be¬ 
tween the two ships. One man, who fell between the boat 
and brig, had his head literally crushed fine ; and some 
others were lost in their attempts to ascend the sides of the 
Cambria. 

When the greater part of the men had been disposed of, 
the gradual removal of the officers commenced, and was 
marked by a discipline the most rigid, and an intrepidity 
the most exemplary : none appearing to be influenced by 
a vain and ostentatious bravery, which, in cases of extreme 
peril, affords rather a presumptive proof of secret timidity 
than of fortitude ; nor any betraying unmanly or unsoldier¬ 
like impatience to quit the ship; but with the becoming 
deportment of men neither paralysed by, nor profanely in¬ 
sensible to, the accumulating dangers that encompassed 
them, they progressively departed in the different boat 3 
with their soldiers—they who happened to proceed first 


SUBORDINATION OF THE SOLDI! fcS. 167 

»eaving behind them an example of coolness that cou d not 
be unprofitable to those who followed. 

Every individual was desired to tie a rope round his 
waist. While the people were busily occupied in adopt¬ 
ing this recommendation, I was surprised, I had almost 
said amused, by the singular delicacy of one of the Irish 
recruits, who, in searching for a rope in one of the cabins, 
called out to me that he could find none except the cord¬ 
age belonging to an officer’s cot, and wished to know 
whether there would be any harm in his appropriating it to 
his own use. 

Again—as an agreeable proof too, of the subordination 
and good feeling that governed the poor soldiers in the 
midst of their sufferings, I ought to state, that towards the 
evening, when the melancholy group who were passively 
seated on the poop, exhausted by previous fatigue, anxiety, 
and fasting, were beginning to experience the pain of in¬ 
tolerable thirst, a box of oranges was accidentally discov¬ 
ered by some of the men : who, with a degree of mingled 
consideration, respect, and affection, that could hardly 
have been expected at such a moment, refused to partake 
of the grateful beverage, until they had afforded a share of 
it to their officers. 

The spanker-boom of so large a ship as the Kent, which 
projected, I should think, sixteen or eighteen feet over the 
stern, rests on ordinary occasions about nineteen or twenty 
feet above the water ; but in the position in which we were 
placed, from the great height of the sea, and consequent 
pitching of the ship, it was frequently lifted to a height of 
not less than thirty or forty feet from the surface. 

To reach the rope, therefore, that hung from its extrem¬ 
ity, was an operation that seemed to require the aid of as 
much dexterity of hand as steadiness of head. For it was 
not only the nervousness of creeping along the boom itself, 
or the extreme difficulty of afterwards seizing on and 
sliding down by the rope, that we had to dread, and that 
occasioned the loss of some valuable lives, by detarring the 
men from adopting this mode of escape; but as the boat, 
which one moment was probably under the boom, might 
be carried the next, by the force of the waves, fifteen or 
twenty yards from it, the unhappy individual, whose best 


168 


BURNING OE THE KENT. 


calculations were thus defeated, was generally left sivnig 
ing for some time in mid-air, if he was not repeatedly 
plunged several feet under water, or dashed with dangerous 
violence against the sides of the returning boat; or, what 
riOv unfrequently happened, was forced to let go his hold 
of the rope altogether. As there seemed, however, no al¬ 
ternative, I did not hesitate, notwithstanding my compara¬ 
tive inexperience and awkwardness in such a situation, to 
throw my leg across the perilous stick; and with a heart 
extremely grateful that such means of deliverance, danger¬ 
ous as they appeared, were still extended to me ; and more 
grateful still that I had been enabled, in common with 
others, to discharge my honest duty to my sovereign and 
to my fellow-soldiers, I proceeded, after confidently com¬ 
mitting my spirit, the great object of my solicitude, into 
the keeping of Him who had formed and redeemed it, to 
creep slowly forward, feeling at every step the increased 
difficulty of my situation. On getting nearly to the end of 
the boom, the young officer whom I followed and myself 
were met with a squall of wind and rain, so violent as to 
make us fain to embrace closely the slippery stick, without 
attempting for some minutes to make any progress, and to 
excite our apprehension that we must relinquish all hope 
of reaching the rope. But our fears were disappointed; 
and after resting for awhile at the boom-end, while my 
companion was descending to the boat, which he did not 
find until he had been plunged once or twice over head in 
ihe water, I prepared to follow; and instead of lowering 
myself, as many had imprudently done at the moment 
when the boat was inclining towards us—and consequently 
being unable to descend the whole distance before it again 
receded—I calculated that while the boat was retiring, 1 
ought to commence my descent, which would probably be 
completed by the time the returning wave brought it un¬ 
derneath ; by which means I was, I believe, almost the 
only officer or soldier who reached the boat without being 
either severely bruised or immersed in the water. But my 
friend Colonel Fearon had not been so fortunate; for after 
swimming for some time, and being repeatedly struck 
against the side of the boat, and at one time drawn rom- 
pietely under it, he was at last so utterly exhausted, that 


CAPTAIN COBB PREPARES TO SAVE HIMSELF. 16iJ 

lie must instantly have let go of the rope and perished, had 
not one in the boat seized him by the hair of the head and 
dragged him into it, almost senseless i\nd alarmingly 
bruised. 

Captain Cobb, in his immovable resolution to be the last, 
if possible, to quit his ship, and in his generous anxiety fcr 
the preservation of every life entrusted to his charge, re¬ 
fused to seek the boat, until he again endeavored to urge 
onward the few still around him, who seemed struck dumb 
and powerless with dismay. But finding all his entreaties 
fruitless, and hearing the guns, whose tackle was burst 
asunder by the advancing llames, successively exploding 
in the hold, into which they had fallen, this gallant officer, 
after having nobly pursued, for the preservation of others, 
a course of exertion that has been rarely equalled either in 
its duration or difficulty, at last felt it right to provide for 
his own safety, by laying hold on the topping lift, or rope 
that connects the driver-boom with the mizen-top; and 
thereby getting over the heads of the infatuated men who 
occupied the boom, unable to go either backward or for¬ 
ward, and ultimately dropping himself into the water. 




NARRATIVE OF THE LOSS 


GRCSVENOR INDIAMAN, 

On the Coast of Caffraria: with a melancholy Ac¬ 
count of the Sufferings of the Stiffs Company. 
To which is added , Van Reenerfs Journal of an 
Expedition from the Cape of Good Hope in search 
of the Survivors. 



A Hottentot Chieftain carrying one of the Ladies to his Kraal. 

In the melancholy catalogue of human woes, few things 
appear more eminently disastrous than the general fate of 
the Grosvenor’s crew. Shipwreck is always, in its mild- 








CAUSE OF THE . 1SASTER. 


171 


cst form, a calamity which fills the mind with horror; but 
what is instant death, compared to those who Dad hunger, 
thirst, and nakedness to contend with ? who only escaped 
the fury of the waves, to enter into conflicts with the sava¬ 
ges of the forest, or the greater savages of the human race ; 
w'ho were cut off from all civilized society, and felt the 
prolongation of life, to be only the lengthened pains of 
death. Humanity recoils at the thought: to such distres¬ 
ses no description can do justice ; all the pathos of language 
is weak. 

For some days preceding it had blown very hard, the 
sky was overcast, so that they had not been able to get a 
correct observation ; and it is likewise probable that, from 
their vicinity to the shore, which they little expected, they 
had been carried out of their course by currents. 

These circumstances combining, may account for their 
errors in reckoning, which occasioned the loss of the ship. 
It appears that Captain Coxon had declared only a few 
hours before the disaster took place, that he computed they 
were a hundred leagues from the nearest land, and this 
opinion lulled them into a false security. 

John Hynes, one of the survivors, being aloft with some 
others in the night watch, saw breakers ahead, and asked 
his companions if they did not think land was near. To 
this opinion they assented, and immediately ran to inform 
the third mate, who was the officer of the watch. This 
infatuated young man laughed at their apprehensions, on 
which one of them ran into the cabin to inform the captain 
of such an alarming circumstance, who immediately order¬ 
ed the ship to wear ; but before this could be accom¬ 
plished, her keel struck with great force, and in an in¬ 
stant every person on board hastened on deck, with horror 
nnd apprehension painted in their faces. 

The captain endeavored to dispel their fears of death, 
and begged them to be composed. The pumps were tried, 
but no w'ater found in the hold, as the stern lay high on 
the rocks. In a few minutes the wind blew off the shore, 
which gave additional strength to their apprehensions, lest 
they should be driven out to sea, and thus lose the only 
chance of life. 

The pow r der-room by this time was full of water; the 


LOSS OV THE GROSVENOH IND1AAIAN. 


172 


masts were then ordered to be cut away, without any ef¬ 
fect, and as the ship lay within about three hundred yards 
of the shore, her destruction was now found to be inevita¬ 
ble. Distraction and despair took place at this dismal 
prospect, and no words can describe the scene that present¬ 
ed itself. Those who were most composed, set about 
framing a raft, by which means the women, children, ami 
sick might be conveyed to land. Meanwhile, three men 
attempted to swim to the shore, with the deep sea line ; 
one perished in the attempt; the other two readied land. 
By their assistance, a hawser was at last conveyed to the 
shore, and fastened around the rocks. 

Numbers of natives were assembled to behold the uncom¬ 
mon sight, and these assisted the two men on shore. The 
raft being by this time completed, was launched overboard, 
and four men got upon it to assist the ladies who were pas¬ 
sengers, but they had scarcely taken their station, before 
the hawser that surrounded the raft, snapped in two, by 
which accident it was upset and three of the men drewned. 

In this dilemma every one began to think of the best 
means of saving himself The yawl and jolly-boat had al¬ 
ready been dashed to pieces by the violence of the surf; 
and the only means of preservation was the hawser, by 
which several of the men got safe to the shore, while fifteen 
were drowned in the difficult attempt. 

The ship soon separated just before the mainmast. The 
wind at the same time providentially shifted, and blew off 
the sea, a circumstance that contributed much to the pres¬ 
ervation of those on board, who all got on the poop as be¬ 
ing nearest to the shore. The wind and surges impelling 
this part forward, it soon floated into shoal water ; and by 
this fortunate incident most of them got safe on shore. 

Before this arduous business was well effected, night sei 
in, and the natives having retired, several fires were lighted 
and they supped on what provisions they found on shore. 
Two tents v/ere formed of the soils, and in them the ladies 
were left to repose, while the men Wandered about collect¬ 
ing such articles as they deemed serviceable. 

On the morning of the 5th, the natives returned, and 
without ceremony carried off whatever suited their fancy. 
This conduct excited a thousand uneasy sensations ; but 


OlIOASOJO 





*1 



(/} 


























PREPARATIONS FOIl DEPARTURE. 


175 


as they still refrained from plundering the crew, their ap¬ 
prehensions were somewhat allayed. 

Next day was employed in collecting together every ar» 
tide that might be useful in their journey to the Cape, to 
which they imprudently resolved to take their route ; a 
resolution which involved them in complicated misery, and 
which can be justified on no wise principle. From the 
wreck they might easily have built a vessel capable of 
containing them all ; and by coasting along, they might 
have reached the nearest of the Dutch settlements, with 
half the danger or risk to which they were now exposing 
themselves. 

But distress sometimes deprives men of all presence of 
mind ; and having just escaped the dangers of the sea, 
they seemed to have considered land as the most desirable 
alternative, without reflecting on the almost insuperable ob¬ 
stacles that lay in their way. 

On examining their stores, they found two casks of flour 
and a tub of pork had been washed on the beach, and some 
arrack, which was staved, lest the natives should get at it, 
and by intoxication increase their natural ferocity. 

Capt. Coxon now called the survivors together, and hav¬ 
ing divided the provisions among them, asked if they con 
sented to his continuing the command, to which they 
unanimously agreed. He then proceeded to inform them, 
that he was in hopes of being able to reach some Dutch 
settlement in fifteen or sixteen days, and in this calculation 
he probably was not much mistaken, had not rivers inter¬ 
vened, which retarded their progress. 

Every thing being arranged, they set out on their jour¬ 
ney, leaving only an old East-India soldier, who being 
lame, preferred trusting himself to the natives, till a more 
favorable opportunity should present itself of his getting 
away. 

As they moved forward, they were followed by some of 
the natives, while others stayed at the wreck. Those whc 
accompanied them, plundered them from time to time of 
what they liked, and sometimes threw stones at them. 

After advancing a few miles, they were met by a party 
of thirty of the natives, whose hair was done up in a coni 
cal form, and their faces painted red. Among these there 


176 


LOSS OF THE GUOSVE.VOft IXUIA.VAN. 


was a man who spoke Dutch, and it afterwards appeared 
that his name was Trout, and that he was a runaway slave 
from the Cape, on account of some crimes. When this 
person came up to the English, he enquired who they were, 
and whither they were going, and finding their country, 
and that they had been cast away, he informed them that 
their intended journey to the Cape would be attended with 
unspeakable difficulties from the natives, the wild beasts, 
and the nature of the country through which they were to 
pass. 

Though this did not contribute to raise their spirits, they 
tried to engage him as a guide ; but no arguments could 
prevail on him to accept this office ; nor would the natives, 
he said, suffer him, however strong his inclination might 
be. 

Thus disappointed in the services of a man, who, had ht 
been faithful, might have been of essential use, they pursu¬ 
ed their journey for four or five days, during which the 
natives constantly surrounded them in the day, taking from 
them whatever they pleased, but invariably retired in the 
night. 

As they proceeded, they saw many villages, which they 
carefully avoided, that they might be less exposed to the 
insults of the natives. 

At last they came to a deep gully, where three of the 
Caffres met them, armed with lances, which they held sev¬ 
eral times to the captain’s throat. This irritating him be¬ 
yond all patience, instead of soothing them by presents or 
address, he wrenched a spear out of one of their hands, and 
broke it in two. Of this the natives seemed to lake no 
notice, and went away ; but next day, on coming to a large 
village they found these three men with three or four hun¬ 
dred e>f their countrymen, all armed with lances and tar¬ 
gets, who stopped the English, who began to pilfer and 
insult them, and at last fell upon and beat them. 

Fear suggesting that it was the intention of the natives 
to kill them, they formed the resolution of defending them¬ 
selves to the last extremity, and having placed the women, 
the children, and invalids at some distance, the remainder, 
the number of eighty or ninety, engaged their opponents in 
a kind of running fight for upwards of two hours, when our 


THE NATIVES CONTINUE TO PI.UNDER. 177 

countrymen gaining a rising ground, where they could not 
be surrounded, a kind of parley took place. 

During this unfortunate encounter, the probable cause of 
their future destruction, many were wounded on both sides, 
but none killed. A pacification taking place, the English 
cut the buttons from their coals and presented them to the 
natives, on which they went away, and returned no more. 

The following night they were terrified with the noise of 
the wild beasts, and kept watch for fear of them and the 
natives both. How dreadful a situation, especially for 
those w ho had been lately used to ali the delicacies of the 
East! 

When morning arrived, they were again joined by Trout, 
who had been on board of the wreck, and had loaded him¬ 
self with various articles of iron and copper, which he was 
carrying to his kraal. He cautioned them against making 
any resistance in future ; for as they were not furnished 
with any weapons of defence, opposition would only irritate 
and increase obstructions. W ith this advice he left them. 

Having made some progress during the day, they agreed 
to pass the night near a deep gully, and were more disturb¬ 
ed than ever with the bowlings of the wild beasts, which 
came so near as to occasion a general alarm, though a large 
fire was kept up to intimidate them. 

Next day, as they were advancing, a party of natives 
came dow n upon them, and plundered them, among other 
things, of their tinder box, flint and steel, which proved an 
irreparable loss. Every man was obliged to travel, by 
turns, with a fire brand in his hands, while the natives fol¬ 
lowed them till it was almost dark. 

At length they came to a small river, where they deter¬ 
mined to stop all night. Before the natives retired, they 
showed more insolence than ever, robbing the gentlemen 
of their watches, and the ladies of their jewels, which they 
had secreted in their hair. Opposition was vain; the at¬ 
tempt only brought fresh insults or blows. 

IS ext day they crossed the river. At this disastrous spot, 
their provisions being nearly expended, and the delay oc¬ 
casioned by travelling with women and children very great, 
the sailors began to murmur, and rashly resolved that every 
man should shift for himself 


H8 LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR INDIAMAN. 

Accordingly, the Captain, Mr. Logie the first mate, the 
third mate, Colonel James and lady, Mr. and Mrs. Hosea, 
the purser, five of the children, the surgeon, and some oth¬ 
ers agreed to keep company together, and travel as before ; 
and many of the sailors were also prevailed upon to attend 
them, by the liberal promise of the passengers in this party. 

Oil the other hand, Mr. Shaw the second mate, Mr. 
Trotter the fourth, Mr. Harris the fifth, Captain Talbot, 
Messrs. Williams and Taylor, M. d’Espinette and several 
other gentlemen, with a considerable number of seamen, in 
all forty-three persons, among whom was Hynes, from 
whose oral communication many particulars were after¬ 
wards obtained, resolved to hasten their journey. A young 
gentleman of the name of Law, about seven or eight years 
of age, crying after one of the passengers, they had the hu¬ 
manity to take him with them, and to carry him by turns 
when tired. 

This separation was as fatal as it was cruel and impoli¬ 
tic ; however, the second mate’s party having been stopped 
by a river, they once more joined with apparent satisfac¬ 
tion, and passed the stream together, continuing in compa¬ 
ny a whole day and a part of another. 

They now arrived at a large village, where they found 
Trout, who introduced his wife and child to them, and 
begged a piece of pork. He informed them that this wa-s 
his residence, and again repeated, that the natives would 
not suffer him to depart, even if it should be his voluntary 
choice to return to his own country. However he commu¬ 
nicated various articles of information relative to their jour¬ 
ney, for which they made due acknowledgment; but it is 
to be lamented that he could not be induced to carry his 
services farther, or rather that his crimes and his character 
rendered him dangerous to be trusted, and fearful of trust¬ 
ing himself among Christians. 

During their conversation with Trout, the natives sur¬ 
rounded them in numbers ; and when the English proceed¬ 
ed on their journey, these people did- not leave them until 
dusk. The following night both companies were united ; 
but that distress, which ought to have been the bond of 
amity, was unfortunately perverted into an occasion foi 
disaffection and complaint. 


FINAL SEPARATION OF THE PARTY. 


179 


Their provisions running very short, a party \unt oown 
to the sea-side, to gather shell-fish from the rocks-^-when 
a considerable quantity of oysters, muscles, and limpets 
were found. The best of these were divided among the 
women and children; but the tide happening to set in be¬ 
fore they had completed a sufficient stock, some of this 
miserable company went with a very scanty allowance. 

After this repast, which rather excited than gratified 
their appetites, about noon they reached a small village, 
where an old man approached them armed with a lance 
which he levelled, making at the same time a noise some 
what resembling the report of a musket. From this cp 
cumstance, if it is properly stated, it is probable that he 
was aware of the power of fire-arms, and apprehended that 
they would kill his cattle; for he instantly drove his herd 
into the kraal. The cattle are always secured on the 
appearance of danger, and during the nights, in the area of 
the tents formed by the natives, which are constantly set 
up in a circular direction. 

The old man seeing his cattle were not molested, took 
no further notice of the English ; but some other inhabit¬ 
ants of the same village dogged their progress, and behaved 
very ill. 

The last, the final separation took place—they parted to 
meet no more. On coming to this resolution, they seemed 
at length to have been influenced by motives, which had 
at least the fallacious appearance of reason. They ob¬ 
served that, by pursuing different routes, and travelling in 
‘small parties, they should be less the object of jealousy to 
the natives, and could the more easily procure subsistence. 
To counterbalance these advantages, however, they lost 
that unity of action, that systematic direction, which a pru¬ 
dent superior can communicate to those under his care ; 
and, by rejecting established authority, they soon split int3 
parties, guided only by caprice, and swayed by temporary 
views. After all, they did not part without evincing those 
emotions, so honorable to human nature. Their misfor¬ 
tunes had in some measure levelled distinctions ; and the 
services of the* lowest were regarded as tokens of friend¬ 
ship, not expressions of duty. 


ISO 


l oss or THK CUOSVENOR INDIAMAN. 


From this period the fate of the captain and his asso¬ 
ciates is almost wholly unknown. But imagination can¬ 
not form a scene of deeper distress, than what the tender 
and delicate sex and innocent children must have expe¬ 
rienced. It harrows up the very soul to think what pangs 
they must have endured, struggling with calamity of every 
kind, and exposed to the rude assaults of a barbarous race 
of men, whom they could neither avoid nor conciliate. 
From the history, however, of the party, some of whom 
survived their distresses, it is probable that the hand of 
death soon released them from their accumulated ills. This 
is the only idea on which the heart of sensibility can dwell 
with pleasure; and this hope is confirmed by subsequent 
inquiries, which we shall state in the sequel; though the 
public mind was harassed with the belief, that a few had 
been doomed to worse than death by the natives. 

The purposed separation having taken place, the party 
which had attached itself to the second mate travelled till 
it was quite dark ; when arriving, at a convenient spot, 
they kindled a fire, and took up their repose for the night. 
Next day it was conjectured they proceeded thirty miles, 
and though they saw many of the natives, none offered 
them the least molestation. 

Towards the close of day they reached an extensive 
wood, and being fearful of entering it tiil morning, they 
spent a restless night on its verge, terribly alarmed by the 
wild beasts, whose howlings were dreadful indeed. 

They continued their route the following day until noon, 
without any other food than wild sorrel and berries, w hich 
the birds had pecked at, a pretty certain indication that 
they were not poisonous. None of the natives made their 
appearance; and in the afternoon the wanderers reached 
a point of rocks, where they found some shell-fish ; and 
having refreshed themselves, they advanced till they fell in 
with a large river, on the banks of which they reposed. 

Next morning they had the mortification to find that 
this stream was not fordable at that place; and several of 
them could not swim. They resolved to trace its wind¬ 
ings, and in their way fell in with many villages; but the 
inhabitants seemed too much alarmed to yield them any 
assistance. 


OfSCUVLK AN OP^N PbAJN. 


181 


Pursuing the course of the river a considerable way and 
not finding it to narrow, they determined to construct cat 
amarands, or floating stages, on which they might pass it. 
This being soon effected with such materials as they found 
on the banks, such as could not swim were placed on the 
float, which was impelled by the swimmers; and though 
the river was said to be nearly two miles over, they a‘l 
crossed it in safety. 

It was three days since they had left the sea-coast, and 
during that period they had scarcely tasted any thing but 
water and wild sorrel. They had the same fatigues to un¬ 
dergo in reaching the beach on the opposite side ; but 
when they arrived there, they were fortunate enough to 
obtain plenty of shell-fish, with which they again refreshed 
themselves. 

After pursuing the windings of the coast for three or four 
days, in which time the natives suffered them to pass with¬ 
out opposition, they entered on a woody and desert country, 
as the rocks near the shore rendered that way impassable. 

Penetrating a pathless wood, where perhaps no human 
being had ever trod, uncertain which way to proceed, in¬ 
commoded by the heat, and exhausted with the fatigues of 
their march, they were almost ready to sink, when they 
reached the summit of a hill. Here they rested, and had 
the satisfaction to see a spacious plain open before them, 
through which a fine stream meandered. As the wild 
beasts, however, were accustomed, in their nocturnal prowl- 
ings, to resort thither for water, the situation of the travel¬ 
lers was both perilous and subject to perpetual alarms. 

In the morning one of them ascended a lofty tree, to ob¬ 
serve the trendings of the coast; and having made their 
observations, they resumed their journey, and entered an¬ 
other wood just as night set in. Having passed this, through 
tracks which wild beasts alone had formed, they again 
reached the sea-coast as night commenced, and endeavored 
to make fires ; which, after the fatigues they had under¬ 
gone in the day, was a toilsome business. The oysters 
which they had collected were thrown into the fire, to 
make them open; for there was not a knife remaining 
nntong them. On this spot they reposed, but found not a 
drip of water. 


182 LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR INJMAMAN 

The melancholy circumstances these men were undei; 
were unfavorable for observation. Nevertheless, it is re 
marked, that the first nation they passed through was of a 
dark copper coloured complexion, and had long woolly 
hair, which they tied up in the form of a cone; their noses 
were prominent, and the general features not bad. In per¬ 
son they were robust and well-proportioned, and used no 
other covering than a slight girdle round their loins, excep* 
on hunting expeditions, or when it was bad weather. On 
such occasions they wore the skin of some wild beast. The 
women are well formed, and possess some regularity ot 
features. Round their waist they wore a kind of net, 
which reached half way down their thighs ; but the 
meshes were so wide that this can scarcely be called a 
covering. 

Their houses are constructed of poles, ranged circularly, 
and brought together at the top, which is there thatched 
with reeds and long grass. The sides are whittled with¬ 
out, and plastered within with cow dung. In the centre 
is a hole about three feet deep, in which the fire is lighted, 
while the family take their station around it. In building 
and domestic arrangements, they observe nearly the same 
forms throughout all that part of Africa. 

Next day the wanderers, in the course of their journey, 
had the good fortune to discover a dead whale, which gave 
them no little satisfaction in their famishing condition. 
The want of a knife to cut it up, put it out of their power 
to profit to the full by this accidental supply ; and some of 
them, even in the extremity of hunger, would have nause¬ 
ated such food raw. However, by making a fire on part of 
the carcase, and digging the roasted part out with oyster 
shells, they all found means to make a hearty meal. 

A fine champagne country now presented itself, the 
sight of which tempted them to believe that their fatigues 
were near a termination, and that they had reached the 
most remote of the Dutch settlements. Accordingly, some 
were for taking their route that way, while others perse¬ 
vered in their original plan of keeping in the vicinity of the 
shore. Thus new dissensions arose, and the want of una¬ 
nimity again involved them in fresh distresses 

After many disputes, another division of the party took 


OBSTRUCTIONS IN THEIR MARCH. 


183 


place. Mr Shaw, the fourth mate, Messrs. W.lliamK and 
Taylor, Captain Talbot, and some other gentlemen, with 
seamen, to the number of twenty-two inclusive, among 
whom was Hynes the reporter, resolved to proceed inland; 
while the carpenter, the ship’s steward, M. d’Espinette, 
and Mr. Oliver, with about twenty-four seamen, proceeded 
along the shore. 

The party which took the interior proceeded for three 
days through a very pleasant country, where they saw a 
number of deserted kraals. During this time they had no¬ 
thing to subsist on but a few oysters which they carried 
with them, and some berries which they picked up by the 
way. The effects of hunger soon compelled them to return 
again to the coast, where they found the usual supplies of 
shell-fish. Before this Captain Talbot had complained of 
great lassitude, and repeatedly sat down to rest himself. 
The company indulged him for some time by doing the 
same; but seeing he was quite exhausted, they went on, 
leaving him and his faithful servant Blair sitting side by 
side ; and neither of them were heard of any more. 

Having reposed near the shore, next day about noon 
they came to a small river, where they found two of the 
carpenter’s party, who*, not being able to swim, had been 
left behind. The joy of these poor fellows at seeing their 
comrades baffles description. They had lived on shell-fish, 
which while they were gathering, their fire went out, and 
involved them in the last distress. 

With difficulty they were got over the river; and travel¬ 
ling on for four days more, came to another river, of such 
breadth, that none would ventu'e to pass it. There was 
no alternative now, but to march along its banks, in hopes 
of finding a practicable passage; and in their way the) 
came to a village, where the natives showed them the in¬ 
side of a watch, which some of the carpenter’s party had 
given them for some milk. Mr. Shaw observing that a 
traffic would not be unacceptable, offered them the inside 
of his watch for a calf; but though they assented to the 
terms, no sooner had they obtained the prize, than they 
withheld the calf, and drove the English from their 
village. 

After several days journeying, and passing through va 


84 


LOSS OF THE OKOSVENOJt INDl IM AN. 


rious villages without molestation, the river seemed practi 
cable, and a catamarand being constructed as before, they 
all passed over save two, who were afraid to venture—so 
much more terrible to men is the dread of instant death 
than lingering misery! 

Having gained the opposite bank, they took an oblique 
direction towards the shore, which they reached about noon 
of the third day. In the morning at the ebbing ol the tide, 
they procured some shell-fish ; and having refreshed them¬ 
selves, they set out to encounter new perils. 

In the course o- that day’s march, they fell in with a 
party of the natives belonging to a new nation, who mal¬ 
treated and beat them ; and to avoid their persecution, they 
hid themselves in the woods, from which they again issued 
out when the enemy had retired. 

They had not proceeded far, before they perceived the 
prints of human feet in the sand, which convinced them 
that some of their late companions had preceded them 
With the hopes of rejoining them, they retraced their foot¬ 
steps for a while, but soon lost them amidst rocks and grass. 

After some time they came to another river of some 
magnitude, which they passed on a catamarand as before, 
and rested on the opposite bank. During the two follow¬ 
ing days nothing remarkable happened. At the expiration 
of that period they overtook the carpenter’s party ; and, on 
comparing sufferings, they found that those of the party 
who had got ahead had been still more severe than theirs. 
The carpenter himself had been poisoned by eating some 
kind of fruit; M. Espinette and Mr. Oliver, worn out with 
fatigue, had been left to their fate. The unfortunate little 
traveller, Law, was still with them, and had hitherto borne 
fatigue in an astonishing manner. 

Thus once more united, they proceeded together, till 
they came to a sandy bank, where they discovered a couple 
of planks, with a spike-nail in each. This must have con¬ 
vinced them that some European ship had been near the 
coast, or that they were in the vicinity of settlements; but 
the nails themselves were prizes of the first consequence. 
They flattened them between two stones, and bent them 
into something like knives; and happy were the possessors 
of such a valuable acquisition. 


IMPEDIMENTS Or R.VEKS 


183 


In a short time they came to another river, on the banks 
of which they found fresh water, which determined them 
to rest there for the remainder of the night. On examin¬ 
ing the sea-shore they found another dead whale, which 
would have diffused a general joy, had not a large party of 
the natives been seen observing their motions, who imme¬ 
diately came down upon them armed. These people, how¬ 
ever, no sooner saw the miserable figure which the travel¬ 
lers made, than they lent their lances to such as were em¬ 
ployed on the whale; by the assistance of which and their 
two knives, they cut it into junks, and carried off* a consid¬ 
erable quantity, till they could find fire and water to 
dress it. 

On coming to a river the following day, another of the 
party dropped, and they were under the hard necessity of 
leaving him. Being now in possession of plenty of meat, 
they travelled four days without intermission. Having pro¬ 
cured a stick, they now set about making a kind of 
almanac, by cutting a notch for every day; but in cross¬ 
ing a river, this register of time was lost, and the care 
they had taken to compute their melancholy days was of no 
avail. 

They soon reached a new’ river, where they halted for 
the night. The frequent impediments of rivers much re¬ 
tarded their progress ; and it is a fact well known, that a 
considerable number of streams intersect the coast between 
that part of Cafiraria where they were wrecked, and the 
Cape. Few of these, however, are of great magnitude at 
any considerable distance from the sea ; but as the wander¬ 
ers derived all their subsistence from the watery element, 
t-Iiey were obliged to submit to the inconvenience of passing 
them in general where the tide flowed. This will account 
for difficulties, which a more inland course, had it been 
practicable, would not have subjected them to. 

As the weather was very unfavorable the next morning, 
some of the company were afraid to cross the river; on 
which Hynes, and about ten more, impatient to proceed, 
swam across, leaving the rest behind them. Having gained 
the opposite shore, they pursued their journey till they 
came to a place where shell-fish, wood, and water, wore 
abundant. Here they halted two days, in expectation of 
their friends coming up; but as it still blew fresh, they 


J66 LOSS OF THE GROaVENOK IND1AMAN. 

thought it in vain to wait any longer for their more timer 
ous companions, and accordingly went on. 

They had not journeyed many hours before they had the 
good fortune to discover a dead seal on the beach. One 
of the knives being in the possession of this party, they set 
about cutting up their prey; and having performed this, 
they dressed some of the flesh on the spot, and carried the 
rest with them. 

Next morning, the party left behind overtook them. 
This was now under the conduct of the ship’s steward ; 
and in the interval of the recent separation, it appeared 
they had suffered extremely from the natives, from hunger, 
and fatigue; and that five of them were no more. 

Thus these unfortunate men were rapidly losing some of 
the body; yet the reflection on their forlorn condition did 
not arouse them to the sense of the good effects of una¬ 
nimity, which alone, had it been either a permanent princi¬ 
ple, o** enforced by an authority to which they ought to 
have submitted, might have saved them many distresses, 
and would have tended to the preservation of numbers. 
Concord is always strength ; the contrary, even in the 
happier circumstances, is weakness and ruin. 

Having shared the remainder of the seal among them, 
and taken some repose, they again proceeded in one body ; 
and after some time came to a lofty mountain, which they 
must either cross, or go round the bluff' point of a rock, on 
which the surf beat with great violence. They chose the 
latter alternative, but had reason to repent of their temerity ; 
as they had a miraculous escape with their lives, and lost 
not only their remaining provisions, but their fire-brands 
w T ere extinguished in the waves. 

Dispirited by this essential loss, which was their chiet 
protection from the wild beasts, they felt the misery o{ 
their situation with aggravated force; and an additional 
gloom clouded their future prospects. Marching along in 
this disconsolate mood, they perceived some female natives, 
who immediately fled. When the travellers came up to 
the spot where these female wanderers had been first des¬ 
cried, they had the satisfaction to find that the fire, on 
which they had been dressing some fish, was not extin¬ 
guished. With joy they lighted their brands, and pursued 
their course. 


CONDUCT OF THE FEMALE NATIVES. itfT 

Next day they arrived at a village, where the natives of¬ 
fered to baiter a young bullock with them. This was a 
temptation not to be resisted. The inside of a watch, 
some buttons, and other trifles, were gladly offered and 
accepted in exchange ; and the beast was delivered up, and 
killed by one of the Caffres’ lances. 

The natives were pleased to receive back the entrails ; 
and our people having divided the carcass among them in 
the most impartial manner, in which their young friend 
was not forgot, they took up their lodgings here for the 
night, and next morning passed another river on a cata- 
marand. 

This was the only sustenance they had hitherto receive 
from the natives by barter or favor ; except that the women 
would sometimes give the poor little youth, who accom¬ 
panied them, a little milk. Among the most barbarous 
nations, the females, to the honour of their sex, are always 
found comparatively humane; and never was there an ob¬ 
ject of greater commiseration than Master Law. Hitherto 
he had got on tolerably well by the benevolent attentions 
of his companions. He walked when able and when tired, 
was carried in turn without a murmur. None ever ob¬ 
tained any food without allowing him a share. When the 
rest were collecting shell-fish, he was left to watch the fire, 
and on their return he participated in their spoils. On 
such disinterested humanity we dwell with pleasure, anti 
Heaven will eye it with regard. Happy would it make U3 
to reflect that so much care had been ultimately success¬ 
ful ; but when the soul of innocence winged its flight to 
the skies, let us hope that a Being who delights in benev¬ 
olence, took a milder account of the sins of those who re¬ 
lieved the wants of this unfortunate youth, and that his 
protectors enjoy h*is company where friendship is eternal. 

They now entered on a sandy desert, which occupied 
ten days in passing. In this desolate track they had many 
rivers to pass ; and had they not obtained a previous sup¬ 
ply of food, they must all have perished. Water, however 
was generally found by digging in the sand; and as they 
were safe from the apprehensions of the natives, this seems 
to have been the most pleasant part of their journey. 

Having crossed the desert, they entered on the territo- 


188 


LOSS OF THE CHOSVENOR INDIAN AN. 


ries of a new nation, who sometimes maltreated them, a no 
at others, permitted them to pass without molestation 
Being now on the borders of the ocean, they fell in with a 
party of the inhabitants, who advised them to go inland ; 
and taking their advice, they soon came to a village, where 
the) found only women and children. The women brought 
?,ut a little milk, which they gave to tne boy. This nutri¬ 
tious fluid was kept in small baskets, curiously formed of 
rushes, with great compactness. Here they hail an oppor 
tunity oi examining several huts, and observed the curious 
mode in which the natives churned their butter. They 
suspended a leathern bag in the middle of the tent, and 
pushed it backwards and forwards till the butter arrived at 
a proper state of consistence. 

While the travellers were resting themselves, the men 
belonging to the village returned from hunting, each bear¬ 
ing on the point of his spear a piece of deer’s flesh. They 
formed a ring around the strangers, and seemed to gaze 
on them with admiration. After having satisfied their cu¬ 
riosity, they produced two bowls of milk, which they 
seemed willing to barter ; but as our wretched countrymen 
had nothing to give in exchange, they denied them this 
humble boon without an equivalent, and ate it up them¬ 
selves. 

Scarcely had they finished their meal, when they afl 
rose up, and, in an instant, went off into the woods—leav¬ 
ing the English under some apprehensions as to the cause 
of this sudden motion. In a short time, however, they re¬ 
turned with a deer; and though our people begged, in the 
most impressive terms, to partake of the spoils, the natives 
turned a deaf ear to their solicitations, and insisted, more¬ 
over, on their quitting the kraal. This they were obliged 
to comply with ; and, advancing a few miles, laid them¬ 
selves down to rest. 

For several days they pursued their journey without any 
remarkable occurrence. They frequently fell in with the 
natives, but they would part with nothing without a return : 
which it was not in their power to make. However, they 
had the negative satisfaction of not being annoyed in their 
progress. 

They now came to another river, where they saw three 


WORDS TRACED IN THE SAND. 


189 


or Four huts, containing only women and children. The 
(lesh oF sea cows, and other animals, was hanging up to 
dry, of which the women gave the travellers a part. That 
night they slept but a small distance from the huts. 

Next morning Hynes and nine others swam across the 
river, while the others were too much alarmed to make 
the attempt. Those who crossed the river had soon after 
the good luck to observe a seal sleeping, just above high 
water mark ; and having cut off' his retreat, they found 
means to kill him. This was a providential supply; and 
having divided it, they travelled four or five days, occasion¬ 
ally falling in with the natives, who, on the whole, behaved 
with tolerable forbearance. 

They now arrived at another river, which they were 
obliged to cross; but difficulties of this kind were become 
familiar. Next day they found a whale ; and being thus 
well supplied with provisions, they resolved to halt for their 
companions; but, after waiting two days, they proceeded 
without them. They afterwards learned, that the remain¬ 
der of their friends had taken a more inland route, and had 
got before them. 

Having cut up as much of the whale as they could carry, 
and being tolerably refreshed, they proceeded in a direct 
course, without the necessity of loitering in quest of food. 

Thus they travelled for more than a week, and in their 
way discovered some pieces of rags ; which convinced them 
that their late associates had got the start of them. This 
induced them to hasten their march ; but soon entering on 
a sandy desert, where there was little prospect of obtaining 
wood and water, they began to feel dejected. To their 
great joy, however, at the entrance of a deep gully, they 
saw the following words traced in the sand—■“ Turn in here, 
and you will find a plenty of wood and water.” This 
seemed to cheer them like a revelation from heaven; and, 
on entering the gully, they found the notification verified, 
and the remains of several fires ; which assured them 
that their late companions had reposed in the same 
place. 

They proceeded on fors< veral days, proportionably ex¬ 
hausted with fatigue as they advanced; but without any 
memorable occurrence. They now came to a bluff* point of 


190 LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR INDIAMAN* 

a rock, which projected so far into the sea, as to obstruct 
their passage that way ; on which they directea their course 
more inland. To add to their distress, their stores were 
now exhausted; and while the dread of perishing of hun¬ 
ger was uppermost in their minds, they arrived at a large 
pond of water, and luckily found a number of land crabs 
and snails in the vicinity; on which they made a hearty 
meal, and then took up their repose. 

As soon as it dawned they resumed their journey ; and 
soon after entering a wood, they observed many trees torn 
up by the roots. While they were lost in amazement at 
this phenomenon, to their terror and astonishment, thirty 
or forty large elephants started up out of the long grass 
with which the ground was covered. The travellers stood 
for some moments in suspense whether they should retreat 
or advance ; but at last, taking a circuitous course, they 
passed these enormous creatures without any injury. Pro¬ 
bably the elephants were not less terrified than our country¬ 
men. The grass in which they lay was not less than eight 
or nine feet high. This may appear strange to those who 
are unacquainted with the luxuriant vegetation of tropical 
regions, and the effects of a peculiarly rich soil; but 
other travellers, of unquestionable veracity, have made the 
same remarks on Africa. 

Our countrymen having reached the sea-shore, were 
miserably disappointed by the state of the tide, which pre¬ 
cluded them from their usual supplies. To such extremity 
were they reduced, that some of them having made a kind 
of shoes of the bullock’s hide, which they had obtained in 
barter from the natives, as mentioned before, singed off the 
hair, and boiled and ate them. To render this disgusting 
dish more palatable, they added some wild celery, which 
grew on the spot; and of this they all partook. 

At low water they resorted to the rocks to procure shell¬ 
fish : and, as they proceeded on their journey, they often 
perceived evident traces of that division of their party which 
had got the start of them. In two days time they fell in 
with a hunting party of the natives. These men wore a 
kind of shoe on the right foot; and when they took a leap, 
they bounded from that foot with the utmost agility. They 
offered no molestation to our people as they passed; and 


GREAT SUFFERING FROM WANT OF FJOD. 


191 


for a succession of days, the natives every where behaved 
with the same forbearance. 

After passing two rivers, and finding no fresh water near 
them, they entered on a sterile country ; where even the 
natives seemed to have nothing to subsist on, but what they 
derived from fishing and hunting. What then mast have 
been the distress of our travellers ! They had not a drop 
of water for some days; and a few berries, which they oc¬ 
casionally picked up, were the only alleviation of their 
burning thirst. However, they soon reached the nation of 
the Caffres, properly so called, and saw a beautiful and 
Oopulous country. 

During their march through this country, they observed, 
one day, a great number of the natives exercising them¬ 
selves in throwing the hassagay, or lance. Being arranged 
n two lines, on opposite sides of a swelling lawn, one of 
them rolled a wooden ball, with all his might, from the top 
of the descent; while his countrymen showed their dex¬ 
terity by lodging their lances in it as it passed along. 

The travellers were now starving amidst plenty. They 
saw plenty of cattle ; but so tenacious were the natives of 
their property, that they would not part with the least val¬ 
uable gratuitously, and our people had nothing to give in 
barter. So jealous were the Caffres of the depredations of 
these poor vagrants, that they constantly secured their cat¬ 
tle as they approached, and even used violence to their 
persons, to keep them at a distance. Thus we see that, in 
all countries, poverty is considered rather as a crime than 
a misfortune; and he who has nothing to bestow, is imme¬ 
diately suspected of an intention to take away. 

But the Caffres have been characterised by Vaillant as a 
humane and inoffensive people. How are we then to re¬ 
concile this description with the conduct they displayed to 
our countrymen ? May not the idea that they were Dutch¬ 
men solve the difficulty? Between the Caffres and the 
Dutch colonists an inveterate enmity subsisted at that pe¬ 
riod. The Caffres had been treated with unparalleled 
cruelty and oppression by the white people, with whom 
they were conversant; and all white people were, there¬ 
fore, probably regarded as enemies. Among uncivilized 
nations, whenever any intercourse has been established 


192 


LOSS OF THE GROSVEiNOK INDIAMAK* 


with Europeans, the characters of the latter, in general, 
have been too hastily determined by the conduct of a 
worthless few. Thus, as on other important occasions 
the many may suffer for the vices of individuals. 

Our travellers, every where repelled, or regarded with 
apprehension, at length came to a river, and on the farther 
side of it were met by a party of the natives, one of whom 
had adorned his hair with a bit of a silver buckle, which 
was known to have belonged to the ship’s cook. It seems 
the cook had set a particular value on his buckles, and had 
covered them with bits of cloth to conceal them from the 
natives; but at last, hunger had driven him to offer part oi 
them in barter for food ; but no sooner had the natives ob¬ 
tained their prize, than they flew from their engagement, 
as was the general practice, and drove the claimants away. 

Hynes and his party were severely handled by the body 
ff the natives they had just fallen in with ; and to avoid 
their persecution, they travelled till late at night; when 
coming to a little wood, they took up their repose for a few 
hours; but recommenced their journey before light, that 
they might escape a repetition of the ill treatment of the 
natives. 

Next day, about noon, they reached a spot where there 
was good water, and the probability of finding plenty of 
shell-fish. This determined them to halt and refresh them¬ 
selves. While in this situation, they were overtaken by a 
violent storm of thunder and lightning, and the rain poured 
down in such torrents, that they were obliged to hold up 
their canvass frocks over the fire to save it from being ex¬ 
tinguished. Next day, at low water, they found shelT-fish 
as usual; but soon after they resumed their journey, and 
on coming to a large village, the inhabitants set upon them 
with such fury, that several were severely wounded, and 
one of them died soon after. Hynes received a wound in 
his leg from a lance; and being knocked down, remained 
senseless on the spot. His companions thinking him dead, 
marched on. However, in a few hours, to the unspeakable 
;oy of all, he rejoined his friends, after they had despaired 
of ever seeing him more. From this time they lost sight 
of the habitations of the natives, and entered on a sandy 
desert, where it was with the utmost difficulty they could 


OVERTAKE THOMAS LEWIS. 


J93 


pick up any subsistence. At intervals., however, they ex¬ 
perienced the usual bounties of the sea; and having col¬ 
lected as many shell-fish as possible, they opened them by 
the force of fire, and taking out the animal, left the shells, 
which infinitely diminished the labor of carriage. This ex¬ 
pedient they did not hit on at first. Well may necessity 
be said to be the mother of invention ! 

Having passed the desert, they soon afterwards arrived 
at a large river, which they afterwards learned was named 
Boschiesman’s River. Here they overtook Thomas Lewis, 
one of the division who had got before them. This poor 
man had been taken ill, and was abandoned to his fate. 
What must his ecstasy have been, to find himself once 
more united to his associates ; but the present relief came 
too late! He informed them that he had travelled inland, 
and seen many huts; at one of which he obtained a little 
milk, and from another was beaten away. He added, that 
having reached the place where they now found him, he 
was so sensible of his reduced state, that he could not at¬ 
tempt to cross the stream, and had come to the resolution 
of returning to the nearest kraal, indifferent as to his recep¬ 
tion or life. 

In vain did his companions strive to get the better of his 
determination. They flattered him with the hopes of be¬ 
ing yet able to reach the Cape; but their encouragement 
was ineffectual. Both his body and his mind were broken 
down—he had drained the cup of affliction to the dregs— 
despair had laid her iron hand on him, and sealed him for 
her own. In spite of all their entreaties, he went back to 
the natives; and had once more the good fortune to find 
assistance, at the time when he could least expect it, and 
hi such a shape as proved effectual to his preservation. 

But we are anticipating events. On exploring the sea- 
'eoast, our people, to their great joy, discovered another 
whale; and having cut the flesh into junks, they loaded 
themselves with as much as they could carry. They again 
lost sight of the natives and their huts; but where man re¬ 
tires, wiki beasts usurp dominion: and these kept them in 
perpetual alarm. No parts are more infested with them 
than where they were now travelling; and indeed it ap¬ 
pears wot derful that, with all their precautions, they should 
17 


194 LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR 1N1HA.MAN. 

oe able to escape their open ravages. That stragglers 
must have fallen a prey to these savages of the forest, and 
the dying or dead found a grave in their bellies, are circum¬ 
stances that can be little doubted. 

On the fourth day after passing this river, they overtook 
the ship’s steward and Master Law, who still had survived 
ineffable toils. The cooper had been buried the preceding 
evening in the sand; but when Hynes and the steward 
went to take a farewell view of the spot, they found that 
the body had been carried off by some carnivorous animal, 
which had evidently dragged it to a considerable distance 
through the sand. The vestiges of these ravenous beasts 
were so plain on the sand, that they were filled with horror 
at the sight. 

Hynes’ party presented the steward and child with some 
of the flesh of the whale, which refreshed them considera¬ 
bly ; and for eight or ten days more they proceeded in com¬ 
pany. At last they came to a point of rocks, and as the 
whale was by this time quite expended, they thought it 
proper to go round the edge in quest of their customary 
supplies. This took up so much time, that they were 
obliged to sleep on the rocks, where the water was very 
brackish. In the morning the steward and child were both 
taken ill, and being unable to proceed, the party agreed to 
halt another day. The extreme coldness of the rock, on 
which they had slept the preceding night, had produced a 
sensible effect on them all ; and probably led to that catas¬ 
trophe, which, as infant innocence is concerned, must af¬ 
fect every heart the more. In the course of the following 
night, this poor child who had run through so much dis¬ 
tress already, and who might now be said to be within the 
reach of relief, paid the debt of nature. He had been left, 
as they supposed, asleep near the fire where they had re¬ 
posed ; but wnen they had made their arrangements for 
breakfast, and wished to call him to participate, it was 
found that his soul had taken its flight to another world. 
Forgetting their own misery, they felt for the loss of this 
tender youth, as if he had been the son of each ; but the 
sufferings of the steward were inexpressible. This child 
had been the object of his fondest care during a long and 
perilous journey; and now to lose him was distraction. It 


DREADFUL CONDITION OF TtK TRAVELLERS. 195 

was with the utmost difficulty that his companions could 
tear him from the spot. 

They had not proceeded far before one of the party 
asked lor a shell of water. This being given him, he so¬ 
licited a second ; and immediately after he had drank it 
up, he laid himself down, and instantly expired. So much 
were they habituated to scenes of distress, that, by this 
time, death had ceased to be regarded as shocking—it was 
even considered as a consummation rather to be wished 
than dreaded. They left this poor man where he dropped; 
and they had not advanced far before another complained 
of extreme weakness, and sat down on the sand by the 
sea-side to rest himself. Him too they left, compelled by 
severe necessity, in order to search for wood and water, 
promising, if successful, to return and assist him. Having 
sought in vain for a comfortable resting place for the night, 
they were all obliged to repose on the sand. One of them 
humanely recollecting the situation of their comrade, who 
was unable to proceed, went back to the spot where he had 
been left, in hopes of recovering him; but the unhappy 
man was not to be found; and as he had nothing to shel 
ter or protect him, it was concluded that he had fallen a 
prey to the wild beasts. 

With the first approach of day they resumed their jour¬ 
ney. Their situation was now more deplorable than ever 
For many hours they had not been able to procure a drop 
of fresh water: the glands of their throats and mouths be¬ 
came much swollen ; and, in the extremity of thirst, they 
were induced to swallow their own water. 

This was the crisis of calamity. The misery they now 
underwent is shocking to relate. For two days they had 
existed without food or water; and the steward, whose 
benevolence ought to immortalize his memory, now followed 
his little favorite into another world. In short, to such a 
state of want and weakness were they now reduced, that 
death was stripped of all its terrors. In traversing the sea- 
coast they found part of a fish, which afforded about a 
mouthful to each ; but the want of water was much more 
severely felt than that of food. 

Next morning, two more of the party were reduced to 
the most languishing state; one of whom, unable to pro- 


LOSS OF f H K OROSV£N’Oil lKDIASIAK. 


196 


eeed a step farther, laid himself down ; and his companions 
destitute of all means of assisting him, took an affectionate 
leave, and left him to expire. 

Towards evening on reaching a deep gully, where there 
was, at first, the prospect of finding some water, they found 
another of the Grosvenor’s crew, who had reached this 
spot, lying dead, with his right hand cut off at the wrist. 
We are told, that his companions recollected it had been 
the common asseveration of the deceased, “ May I lose my 
right hand, if this is not true and hence they supersti- 
tiously imagined that Providence had, by a miracle, 
shown its indignation against his profaneness. 

One of the crew, who had lost his own clothes in cross¬ 
ing a river, took this opportunity of supplying himself, by 
stripping the dead man ; and then they all proceeded till 
night, when they laid themselves down to sleep without 
the least sustenance but what their own water afforded 
them. 

Next day brought no alleviation of their sufferings. Ne¬ 
cessity impelled them to proceed, though hope scarce 
darted a ray through the gloom of their prospects. 

The whole party was at last reduced to three persons, 
Hynes, Evans, and Wormington ; and those could only 
hope to be a few days behind their companions. Their 
faculties rapidly declined ; they could scarcely hear or see ; 
and a kind of fatuity seized their minds. 

Their misery, from thirst, became now so intolerable, that 
Wormington earnestly importuned his two associates to de¬ 
termine by lot who should die, in order that the others 
might be preserved by drinking his blood. Though Ilynes 
was almost become childish, this idea shocked him ; he 
shed tears, and declined, that as long as he was able to 
walk he could not think of casting lots, but that, should he 
be obliged to drop, they might use him as they saw fit. On 
this, Wormington shaking hands with Hynes and Evans, 
eft them to proceed without him. 

Every hour now seemed to throw a deeper gloom over 
their fate: nature could support no more. Hynes and 
Evans, however, made another effort to get on, without 
even hoping that relief was within the possibility of their 
reach. This day they saw something before them which 


WOUMINCTON KKL„ VEHE1). 


197 


tad the appearance of large birds ; but judge their surprise 
when, on approaching nearer, they found them to be men. 
Nearly blind and idiots, they did not, at first, recollect who 
their new found companions were ; but after some time 
they discovered that they were four of the steward’s party, 
from which they had been separated. One of them, a boy, 
named Price, advanced to meet them, and gave them the 
pleasing information, that his associates had fresh water in 
their possession. This inspired Ilynes and Evans with 
new life ; and reciprocal inquiries took place as to the fate 
of their lost companions. The three men whom Hynes 
and his companion had overtaken, were named Berney, 
Leary, and De Lasso. These hearing that Wormington 
was left behind, set out in search of him, charging Hynes 
and Evans not to drink too freely of water as several had 
expired from the eagerness with which they swallowed this 
fluid after long abstinence. But the torments of this ren¬ 
dered them regardless of every other consideration ; they 
were forcibly removed from the water, and the source 
closed with sand, to remove the temptation of excess. 

Wormington was recovered by the humanity of those 
who went to find him, and a painful detail of sufferings took 
place, while they all rested in a kind of alcove. It appeared 
that the captain’s steward had been buried in the sand of 
the last desert they had passed, and that the survivors were 
reduced to such extremity, that after he had been interred, 
they sent back two of their companions to cut off part of 
his flesh ; but while they proceeded in this horrid business, 
they had the good fortune to discover a young seal, newly 
driven on shore and fresh bleeding, which proved a most 
seasonable relief. They farther stated, that they had ob¬ 
tained shellfish in the sand, when none were to be seen 
above, by observing the manner in which the birds scratched 
for them. Without this discovery they must infallibly have 
perished. 

Hynes and Evans, recounting their adventures to the party 
they had joined, among other circumstances, stated that 
when the ship’s steward was left, he had decent apparel on. 
This tempted one of them to propose to Evans, who was 
pi ally well recovered, to go back to the spot and strip the 
it dy ; but the steward was not to be found ; and they con- 
17 * 


198 


LOSS OF THE GRt SVEN OK HN1MAMAN, 


eluded that the wild beasts had anticipated their designs 
These beasts of prey were so numerous, as to be seen in 
companies of twenty or more ; and it was the common 
and effectual practice of the travellers, to shout as loud as 
possible, to drive those formidable animals away. 

Being now T arrived at a favorable spot for water and shell¬ 
fish, they employed two days in collecting provisions for 
their future march, and in refreshing themselves. Rest and 
food had an astonishing effect in restoring, not only the 
powers of the body, but of the mind ; and in a short space 
they thought themselves qualified to encounter new fatigues 

With extreme difficulty and danger they passed a large 
river, supposed to be the Zon Dags, on a catamarand ; and 
having reached the opposite shore, they looked back with 
terror and amazement on their fortunate escape from being 
driven out to sea by the rapidity of the stream. Here they 
found the species of shell-fish which buries itself in the 
sand, and increased their supplies with them. 

The united party pursued their route over a desert coun¬ 
try, where neither hut nor native was to be seen; and in 
six days reached the Schwartz River, as they afterwards 
learned, on the banks of which they took up their abode 
for the night. 

At last the country began to assume a fertile and culti¬ 
vated aspect, and some huts appeared some distance from 
the shore. While they were contemplating with pleasure 
this change of prospects, the grass in their vicinity took 
fire, and spread with great rapidity. They were nil alert 
in trying to extinguish it, lest this involuntary mischief 
should provoke the resentment of the natives, or the blaze 
call them to the spot. 

Next morning they swam over the river in safety, and 
soon discovered a dead whale lying on the beach. Thus 
supplied with a plenty of food, they proposed resting here 
for a few days, could they have found fi esh water; but 
that necessary article being wanted, they cut up as much 
of the whale as they could carry, and proceeded on their 
route. In a short time, however, they came to a thicket 
where they met with water, and here they halted and 
reposed. 

Next mo.ning four of the party went back to the whale 















































































































































































































MEET WITH DUTCH SETTLERS. 


201 


for a large supply ; De Lasso and the boy Price being left 
,n charge of the fire. As Price was searching for fuel, he 
perceived two men with guns, and being intimidated, retired 
hastily to the fire, while the agreeable intruders pursued 
him. These men belonged to a Dutch settlement in the 
neighborhood, and were in search of some strayed cattle 
One of them, named John Battores, supposed to be a Por 
tuguese, was able to converse with the Italian, De Lasso, 
so as to be understood, a circumstance as fortunate as it 
was little to be expected. 

Battores, having learned the outline of their melanchoL 
story, attended them to the whale, where their companioi 
were employed in cutting away the flesh. Affected at the 
sight of these miserable objects, he desired them to throw 
away what they had been collecting, and promising to 
provide them better fare when they reached the habitation 
to which they belonged. 

In vain shall we attempt to describe the sensations of 
the shipwrecked wanderers, on receiving this intelligence, 
and that they were within four hundred miles of the Cape. 
The extravagant efFects of their joy, according as they oper¬ 
ated on dilferent systems, are scarcely to be conceived 
every faculty seemed to be in a state of convulsive agita¬ 
tion. One man laughed, another cried, and a third danced 
with transport. 

On reaching the house of Mynheer Christopher RoostofT, 
to whom Battores was bailiff, they were treated with the 
kindest attention. The master on being made acquainted 
with their distress, ordered some bread and milk to be set 
before them ; but, acting rather on principles of humanity 
than providence, he furnished them with such a quantity, 
that their weak stomachs being overloaded, they had almost 
killed themselves. After their meals, sacks were spread on 
the ground for them to repose on. 

It had been so long since they had known any thing of 
the calculation of time, that they were unacquainted even 
with the name of the month ; but the calendar of misery 
was now complete, and they were given to understand, 
that the day of their deliverance was the 29th of Novem¬ 
ber; so that one hundred and seventeen days had rolled 
away their melancholy hours since they were shipwrecked; 


202 


LOSS OF THE GROSVENOH 1 ND1AMAN. 


a period of suffering almost unparalleled, and during which 
they had often been miraculously preserved. 

Next morning, Mynheer Roostofi killed a sheep for the 
entertainment of his guests, and another Dutchman, of the 
name of Quin, who lived at the distance of a few miles, 
arrived with a cart and six horses, to convey the party 
towards the Cape. The boy Price, being lame, from the 
hardships he had undergone, was detained at RoostofFs 
house, who kindly undertook his cure, and promised to 
send him after the rest when he was recovered. 

The remainder, getting into the cart, reached Quin’s 
house, who hospitably entertained them for several days. 
They were afterwards forwarded from one settlement to 
another, in carts, till they arrived at Zwellendam, about a 
hundred miles from the Cape. Wherever they passed 
they experienced the humanity of the farmers, and had 
their wants relieved with no sparing hand. 

At Zwellendam they were detained till orders should be 
received from the governor at the Cape, in regard to their 
future destiny, Holland and Great Britian being at that 
time at war. 

At length two of the party were ordered to be forwarded 
to the Cape, in order to be examined, while the rest were 
to remain at Zwellendam. Accordingly Wormington and 
Leary proceeded to the Cape, where having been strictly 
interrogated, they were put on board of a Dutch man of 
war, lying in the bay, with orders to be set to work. While 
in this situation, Wormington having discovered some 
fraudulent practices carrying on by the boatswain, impru¬ 
dently threatened to give information to his superiors, on 
which Leary and Wormington being desired to step into a 
boat, were instantly conveyed on board a Danish East 
Indiaman, just ready to sail; and by this fortunate incident, 
first reached their native land. 

But to return to the fate of the rest. Though the hor¬ 
rors of war were raging between the two nations, the Dutch 
government at the Cape, on being informed o the particu 
lars of the loss of the Grosvenor, set a brilliant example of 
humanity, and sent out a large party in quest of the unhap¬ 
py wanderers. 

This detachment consisted of one hundred Europeans 


EXPEDITION TO THE WItSCK. 


203 


and three hundred Hottentots, attended by a great num¬ 
ber of wagons, each drawn by eight bullocks. The com¬ 
mand was given to Capt. Miller, who had orders to proceed, 
if possible, to the wreck, and load with such articles as 
might be saved. 

De Lasso and Evans were engaged as guides; but 
Hynes, being still very weak, was left at Zwellendam. 
This party was well provided with such articles as were 
most likely to ensure their favorable reception among the 
natives, and procure the l.berty of the unfortunate persons 
whom they might pick up in their way. They proceeded 
with spirit and alacrity, till the Cadres, in consequence of 
the dissensions between them and the colonists, interrupted 
the expedition. In their progress they found Thomas 
Lewis, who had been abandoned by his companions, as 
formerly mentioned, William Hatterly, and another. 

Hatterly was servant to the second mate, and had kept 
company with that party, till he alone survived. Thus the 
fate of one division was ascertained. At other places on 
the road, they met with seven Lascars, and two black wom¬ 
en, one of whom was servant to Mrs. Logie, the other to 
Mrs. Hosea. From these women they learned, that soon 
after the party to which Hynes attached himself parted 
from the Captain and the ladies, they also took separate 
routes, the latter intending to join the Lascars : but the fate 
of either, after this separation, was unknown, and ever will 
be so. They indeed saw the Captain’s coat on one of the 
natives, but whether he died, or was killed, could never be 
discovered. 

After the enmity of the natives impeded the progress of 
the wagons, some of the party travelled fifteen days on 
horseback, in prosecution of their plan ; but the CafFres 
continuing to harass them, they were obliged to return after 
being absent four months. 

Captain Miller reached Zwellendam with the three 
Englishmen, the seven Lascars, and two black women, the 
boy Price, and the two guides, De Lasso and Evans. The 
people of color were detained at Zwellendam; the 
three Englishmen were forwarded to the Cape, where, after 
being examined, they were permitted to take their passage 
to Europe on board a Danish ship, the Captain of which 


204 


LOSS Of THE (iliOSVENOR INDIANA 4. 


promised to land them in England, but, except Price, who 
was set on shore at Weymouth, at last, they found their 
way to England. 

Sucn was the termination of the adventures of these 
unfortunate shipwrecks ; but inquiries as to the fate of the 
Captain and his party did not rest here. Though it is 
probable, that before the first Dutch expedition could have 
reached them, they had paid the debt of nature in one way 
or another, and consequently were removed from sublunary 
pains, rumors had been spread, that several of the English 
were still in captivity among the natives, and these obtained 
such general currency and belief, that M. Vaiilant, whose 
philanthropy equalled his genius and his resolution, being 
then travelling in Caffraria, made another attempt to dis¬ 
cover the reputed captives ; but could learn nothing as to 
their situation or final fate. 

The public mind, however, continued still to be agitated, 
and the interest that all the natives took in the fate of these 
unhappy persons, particularly the women, some of whom, 
it was reported, had been seen, tempted another party of 
Dutch colonists, with the sanction of government, to make 
another effort to explore the country, and to reach the 
wreck. 

These men set out on the 24th of August, 1790, amply 
provided, from Kaffer Kuyl’s River, towards Cape Natal, 
on the coast of which the Grosvenor was supposed to have 
been wrecked. Of this journey we have a journal kept by 
Van Reenen, one of the party, and published by Captain 
Rion. It would not be generally interesting to our readers, 
to give the meagre details of distances travelled, and ele¬ 
phants killed ; of dangers encountered, and rivers crossed ; 
we shall therefore confine ourselves to such incidents as 
demand universal attention, or are connected with the mel¬ 
ancholy subject now under consideration. 

After proceeding an immense way, on the third of No¬ 
vember, they arrived among the Hambonaas, a nation quite 
different from the Caffres. They have a yellow complex¬ 
ion, and their long coarse hair is frizzled up like a turban- 
Somc ofthcse people informed our adventurers, that subject 
to them was a village of bastard Christians, wdio were 
descended from people shipwrecked on the coast, of whom 


STATE OK TI*E W'HECK. 


205 


U:rec old women were still alive, and were married ;o an 
flarnbonaa captain. This intelligence roused their curios 
ity, and they were fortunate enough to obtain an intervie w 
with the old women in question, who said they were Las¬ 
cars ; but having been shipwrecked when children, they 
could not say to what nation they belonged. The Dutch 
adventurers offered to take them and their children back 
on their return, at which they seemed much pleased. They 
afterwards fell in with Trout, whose name has been record¬ 
ed in the foregoing narrative, who at first engaged to con¬ 
duct them to the spot where the Grosvenor was wrecked 
and informed them, that nothing was now to be seen 
except some cannon, iron, ballast, and lead. lie also 
added, that all the unfortunate crew of the ship had per¬ 
ished, some by the hands of the natives, and the rest o' 
hunger. 

Trout, who, it is to be feared, was guilty of much dupli¬ 
city from the first, pretended he was a free man, and had 
sailed in an English ship from Malacca ; but finding him 
self likely to be detected, and probably apprehensive of 
being carried back to the Cape, he studiously avoided the 
Dutch in the sequel, and left them to find their way to the 
wreck in the best way they were able. 

As they were proceeding to the spot, one of the party, 
named Houltshusen, unfortunately fell into a pit of burnt 
stakes, by which he was terribly wounded in the palm of 
one of his hands, which, in the event, brought on the lock¬ 
ed jaw, and terminated in his death. 

However, several of them proceeded on horseback to the 
wreck, and found nothing more than what Trout had de¬ 
scribed remaining. It was plainly to be perceived that 
fires had been kindled in the vicinity, and on a rising 
ground, between two woods was a pit, where things had 
been buried and dug out again. This likewise tallied with 
the information of Trout, who told them that every article, 
collected from the wreck, had been dispersed over the 
country, and the greatest part of the goods had been con¬ 
veyed to Rio de la Goa, to be sold. This place was rep¬ 
resented to be about four days' journey from the scene of 
die catastrophe. 

The natives, in the neighbourhood, expressed great as 
IS 


206 


LOSS OF THE GltOSVExNOK 1ND1AMAN. 


tonishment that the Dutch had been at such infinite pains 
to come in search of the unfortunate crew ; and they an 
promised that, in case of similar disaster, they would pro¬ 
tect such people as might be thrown on the coast, if they 
could be assured of obtaining beads, copper, and iron for 
their trouble ; which was liberally promised by the Dutch. 

These intrepid adventurers now concluded they were 
four hundred and forty-seven hours or leagues from the 
Cape ; and two hundred and twenty-six beyond the limits 
of any Christian habitation. 

Finding that nothing farther was to be discovered relu 
tive to the wreck, or the fate of the persons who had reach 
ed the shore, the Dutch determined to return, particularly 
as Houltsnusen’s illness increased. 

On their way back they called at the bastard Christian 
village, and would have taken the three old women under 
their protection, who seemed desirous of living among 
Christians ; but they wished first to gather in their crops ; 
adding, that when that business was accomplished, their 
whole race, to the number of four hundred, would be hap¬ 
py to depart from their present settlement. They were 
promised every indulgence, in case they were disposed to 
emigrate to the Cape. On seeing people of their own 
complexion and description, they appeared to be exceed¬ 
ingly agitated. 

In their homeward journey, they shot many elephants 
and sea-cows ; but on the 1st of December, they met with 
a terrible accident, while they were cutting up and salting 
the sea-cows which they had shot the preceding day. 
“ As we were thus engaged,” to use the words of the jour¬ 
nal, “ a large elephant made up to the wagons : we in¬ 
stantly pursued and attacked him, when after having 
received several shot, by which he twice fell, he crept into 
a very thick underwood. Thinking we had fully done for 
him, Ijaart van du Valdt, Lodewyk Prius, and Ignatius 
Mulder advanced to the spot, when he rushed out furious > 
ly from the thicket, and catching hold of Prius with his 
trunk, trode him to death, driving one of his tusks through 
the body, then threw it up in the air to the distance of 
thirty feet. 

The others perceiving there was no possibility oi e» 


ATTACKED BY ELEPHANTS- 


207 


caping on horseback, dismounted and crept into the 
thicket and hid themselves. The elephant seeing nothing 
in view but one of the horses, followed it some time and 
then turning about, came to the spot where the dead body 
was left. 



Lodewyk Priiis trod to Death by an Elephant. 

At this instant our whole party renewed the attack : and 
after he had received several more wounds, he again es¬ 
caped into the thickest part of the wood. 

We now supposed we were safe, but while we were 
dio'ginor a grave for our unfortunate companion, the ele¬ 
phant rushed out again, and drove us all from the place. 
Ijaart van du Valdt got another shot at him, and a joint 










208 


LOSS OF THE GROSTENDR INDIAMAN. 


attack commencing, he began to stagger, and falling, tne 
Hottentots dispatched him as he lay on the ground. 

The fury of this animal is indescribable. Those of our 
party, who knew anything of elephant hunting, declared it 
was the fleetest and most desperate they had ever seen. 

The Hottentots told us, that the elephant never leaves 
a dead body when attacked, until he has swallowed the 
whole body piece meal ; and that they themselves had 
seen a Hottentot killed nearly in a similar manner with 
our friend, of whose body they could not find the least 
remain.” 

The rest of the journey is little worth notice. In Janu¬ 
ary, 1791, they reached their respective homes, after sur¬ 
mounting incredible difficulties in an expedition to which 
they were prompted solely by a feeling of humanity, and 
the desire of relieving, if any remained alive, such of our 
countrymen as might be among the natives. No intelli¬ 
gence of this kind, after the most diligent inquiries, came 
to their ears. They were indeed informed, that the ship’s 
cook had been alive about two years before the period of 
this journey ; but that he then caught the small pox and 
died. 

We cannot conclude this mournful narrative better, 
than with the sensible reflection of Captain Rion. 

“ Had the party,” says he, “ that set out in search of 
these shipwrecked people, in 1783, prosecuted their jour¬ 
ney with the same degree of zeal and resolution, that Van 
Reenen’s party manifested, it is possible they might have 
discovered and relieved some who have since perished. 

“ Yet as they could not. have arrived at the place of the 
wreck in less than six months after the disaster happened, 
there is no great probability for supposing, after such a 
length of time had elapsed, that any great number of the 
unfortunate sufferers could be remaining alive. 

“ But vvnat we have most to regret is, that perhaps the 
failure of the endeavors of the unfortunate crew to save 
their lives, was owing to their own misconduct. It is too 
often the case, that disorder and confusion are the conse¬ 
quences of extreme distress, and that despair seizing on 
the unprincipled mind, hurries it on to a subversion of all 
good order and discipline; so that the joint efforts of tlio 


CAPTAIN RION’s REFLECTIONS. 


209 


whole are most necessarily requisite for the general good, 
t is then that each desponding, thoughtless wretch acts 
from the impulse of the moment, which ever his agitated, 
tumultuous feelings direct him, and from an erroneous 
idea of self interest; or, wonderful as it may appear, from 
a desire of gratifying a turbulent spirit, at a time when it 
can be done with impunity, is always ready to overturn 
every plan that may be proposed or prosecuted by his su¬ 
periors, and the considerate few that may be of his party. 

“ Such must have been, and such we, indeed, are told, 
was the situation of the crew of the Grosvenor, subsequent 
to their shipwreck. 

“ Though it may be said, it is a very easy matter to see 
errors when the consequences have happened, it will not 
be surely too much to assert, that this ship’s crew once 
safe on shore, with the advantage of what articles they 
could procure from the wreck, their situation, however de¬ 
plorable, could not be considered as hopeless. For had a 
chosen body of ten men or twenty marched a few days to 
the northward, they must have fallen in with Rio tie la 
Goa, where it seldom happens that there is not a French 
or Portuguese slave trading ship. But allowing that Cap¬ 
tain Coxon was much out in his reckoning, and that he 
supposed himself much nearer to the Cape than he really 
was, they might have existed on the sea coast in that cli¬ 
mate, by observing order and discipline, and sheltered by 
huts, till ready to set out ; and conducting themselves 
properly in regard to the natives, they might have proceed¬ 
ed gradually, in safety, into the territories of the Dutch. 

“ Had the crew continued under the orders and disci¬ 
pline of their officers, either of those objects might have 
been accomplished by men who were not totally given up 
to despair; or they might have subsisted there on whai 
provisions they could pick up from the wreck, together 
with what they could purchase from the natives, till a boat 
could be constructed, and sent to solicit assistance from the 
Cape. 

“ These reflections have been extended, by considering 
the circumstances in which the shipwrecked people were 
placed : from all which, it may be fairly concluded, that 
the greater part might have effected a return to their 

18 * 


210 


LOSS OF THE GROSVENOR 1NDJAMAN. 


tive land, had any idea of the advantages of discipline and 
subordination guided them. 

“ It is to be hoped, then, that the fatal consequences at¬ 
tending disorderly behaviour in these calamitous situations, 
will in time impress on the minds of seamen, this incontro¬ 
vertible truth, that their only hope of safety must depenc 
on their obedience.” 










FAMINE IN EE JACQUES, 


A French Vessel , on a Voyage from Brazil to France 
in 1558 . By John Lery . 


As tiie original object of the voyage in which Lery em¬ 
barked is of little moment to this narrative, it is scarce 
necessary to give any account of it; nevertheless, we may 
briefly remark, that Nicolas Durand de Villagagnon, a 
knight of Malta, having abjured the Roman Catholic faith, 
formed the design of establishing a colony of Protestants 
on the coast of Brazil, in South America; and in the year 
1555 began to put his plan in execution. 

Villagagnon proved so successful, and found his enter¬ 
prise so interesting to himself and others, that his nephew 
obtained the royal authority to fit out tiiree vessels with 
further supplies, which sailed for Brazil in December, 1556. 
The first of these, called the Young Roberga, carried eighty 
persons in all ; the second, the OKI Roberga, in which was 
John Lery, a priest, contained a hundred and twenty souls , 
and the third, called the Rose, had on board ninety indi¬ 
viduals, among whom were five young women and a gov¬ 
erness. Those of their own sex in South America beheld 
the latter with astonishment, never before having seen fe¬ 
males in clothing. 

The vessels reached America in the following March, 
and landed in a bay, called Ganabara by the natives, at 
the mouth of the Rio de Janeiro of the Portuguese. In 
entering they discharged a salute, which was answered 
from a fort that had been erected by Villagagnon. 

Villagagnon had established himself on an island, and 
the last comers wero accommodated on another, about two 
miles distant. These places were strong by nature; but, 
to repress the incursions of an enemy still more effectually, 
a fort, named in compliment after Admiral de Coligny, had 
been erected, and cottages served the various settlers 



FAMINE IN l.E JACQUES. 


212 

Lery and his companions having resided eight month* 
on the same island with Villagagnon, were, in consequence 
of certain dissensions, banished by him from it; and there¬ 
fore moved their quarters to the main land, which was not 
far off. But in addition to the dissensions which had 
caused their dismissal, new ones arose; and others of Vil- 
lagagnon’s adherents, separating from him, joined the party 
to which Lery belonged. 

A divided colony being unsuitable for the purposes for 
which the colonists had left their own country, some of 
them entertained a desire to return. They were not long 
without an opportunity; for a French vessel, Le Jacques, 
having taken in a cargo, gave them a passage, and sailed 
from Brazil with forty-five persons on board. Of these, 
twenty-five were the crew of the ship, the remainder pas¬ 
sengers ; and in January they committed themselves to the 
ocean, not void of apprehension for the issue of the voyage. 

At an early period the vessel was embarrassed, in clear¬ 
ing an extensive shoal, stretching sixty miles into the sea, 
and light winds were overcome by the contending currents, 
which threatened to dash her against the rocks and banks 
composing it. Though preserved from this danger, she 
was driven back and tossed about seven days, during which 
she made very inconsiderable progress. 

The seamen, on pumping the ship at midnight, as usual, 
w*ere surprised to find themselves unable to free her of 
water ; and the master, on going down to the hold, dis¬ 
covered a dangerous leak. Every exertion became neces¬ 
sary to keep it under. Ail hands were instantly set to the 
pumps, where they continued twelve hours without inter¬ 
mission ; yet little effect followed, for the water rushed in 
by vast quantities; and the vessel being laden with dye-wood, 
the w~ter was discharged from the pumps as red as blood. 
The danger became more imminent, and the crew were 
exhausted with labor, when advantage was taken of the 
wind to regain the American coast, which next day came 
in sight. 

Meantime, the carpenter and some of the seamen having 
discovered the place of the leak, contrived to stop it by 
means of grease, lead, cloths, and other things, wherewith 
the passengers willingly supplied them, and thus obtained 


THREE PASSENGERS STRANGLE!) 21S 

little respite from their fatigues. The carj enter, how¬ 
ever, declared the unfitness of the ship for the voyage, be¬ 
ing old and worm-eaten in the hull; on which account, 
many who had embarked, rather than run the dangers of 
the sea, wished to return ashore, and there await some 
future opportunity. But the master, afraid that if he once 
made the land, he should be deserted by his crew, de¬ 
clared that he would expose himself to all hazards to avoid 
such consequences, which might eventually occasion the 
loss of both the ship and cargo. At the same time, if the 
passengers, and Philip Dupont, their leader, chose to re¬ 
turn to Brazil, he would provide them with a beat to do so. 
Philip expressing his intention to remain, the master repre¬ 
sented the dangers of such a voyage, and also that the pro¬ 
visions were insufficient to support so many people. Six 
of the passengers therefore, among whom was Lery, agreed 
to return, not being above twenty miles from the shore. 

They hastily threw their chests, with a very small por¬ 
tion of meat and drink, into the boat: when one of those 
remaining behind, at bidding Lery adieu, took him by the 
hand, saying, “ Stay with us I beseech you. Even should 
we never reach France, and should be forced to take refuge 
in Peru, or in any island in the ocean, we shall enjoy more 
peace than byreturning under the rule of Villagagnon.” 
Lery, moved by his persuasion, left a quantity of his things 
in the boat, and quickly ascended the ship’s side. The 
other five departed, and, with much difficulty, gained the 
shore; but it was well for the rest that they had not fol¬ 
lowed their example, for three of them were afterwards 
strangled by means of Villagagnon. 

Their companions then hoisted sail, and icsumed the 
voyage in an old, crazy, and ill provided vessel, in which 
they were again tossed about by adverse winds the whple 
month of January*. In their course they discovered a beau¬ 
tiful island, which was the only land seen for five months, 
about a mile in circumference, and covered with trees of 
the finest foliage. A number of birds of elegant plumage, 
black, white, and green, the size of a pigeon, were flutter¬ 
ing in the air, and, comii: to the vessel, suffered them- 
sr Ives to be caught. 

Towards the end of Fcluuary, fifty days had elapsed 


214 


FAMINE N LE JACQUES 


since the departure of the navigators, and two-thirds a 
the voyage still remained to be accomplished, while a large 
proportion of the provisions had been consumed. It was 
therefore debated, whether they should bear away for Cape 
St. Roche ; but a majority resolved, from the uncertainty 
of obtaining supplies there, that it was better to kill the 
monkeys and parrots, of which numbers had been brought 
from Brazil. 

At length, having passed the line, they augured a favor¬ 
able issue to their voyage ; but an unexpected incident 
once more exposed them to hazard. From a quarrel be¬ 
tween one of the mates and the pilot, neither did his duty, 
and, amidst the negligence of both, a squall took the ship 
when under sail, laying her on her beam-ends. The loose 
articles on deck were washed overboard, and the passen¬ 
gers apprehended that she would never rise again ; how 
ever, the rigging being speedily cut away, she gradually 
righted, to their great relief. This incident, which it was 
concluded would have produced a conciliation between 
the disputants, only served, by a contrary effect, to render 
their mutual hostility more rancorous. 

In a few days afterwards, while the carpenter and some 
seamen, who had been incessantly engaged at the pumps 
night and day, were searching for leaks, a plank a foot 
square unluckily started, and the water rushed in with such 
resistless impetuosity, that the affrighted people fled to the 
deck, crying, we are gone ! we are gone ! Every thing was 
instantly thrown overboard, to make way for getting out 
the boat, and the most precious foreign commodities were 
floating around in the sea. All determined to leave the 
ship, and were hastening to the boat; but the pilot stood 
with a drawn sword to prevent their entrance, declaring 
that he would cut down the first who attempted it. The 
danger was great and imminent, and the seamen so terri¬ 
fied as scarce to know what they were doing. The car¬ 
penter, however, a man of short stature, though intrepid 
mind, addressing the people, endeavored to quiet their 
alarm, and to excite them to action. Clothes, and what¬ 
ever else could be had, vrere quickly collected together, 
and thrust into the opening, which checked the admission 
of the water, and kept the ship from sinkings 


STOPPING THE LEAK. 


215 


For fifteen days the vessel next steerea through such an 
incredible quantity of sea-weed floating on the surface* that 
the people were obliged in a manner to cut a passage 
through it. This they conceived indicated the vicinity of 
and ; but, on sounding, no bottom could be found. 



The Cai'penter stopping the Leak. 

Leaving this impedimer.it behind them, they prepared 
their fire-arms for use, lest they might encounter pirates; 
and the gunner brought a quantity of powder to be dried 
by the heat of the fire. But the vessel containing it grow¬ 
ing ho 4 ., kindled the powder, and the pitch about the ship 
having taken fire also, some cordage and sails were soon 
ir flames. Three seamen were severely burnt, and one of 




216 


FAMINE IN LE JACQUES. 


them so much scorched, that he died a few days afterwards 
Lery escaped with the singing of his hair and ears, and 
fortunately the flames were extinguished without doing 
further damage. <c Thus,” says he, “ had Providence, 
within a short interval, preserved us from shipwreck, foun¬ 
dering, and fire.” 

Though the people on board were so much reduced, as 
scarce to be able to discharge their respective duties, they 
were obliged to be inventive in seeking wherewithal to 
support life. Some therefore cut pieces out of the skin of 
the wild hog, and tried to eat them, after being steeped in 
water; but few found this an expedient plan. Several 
broiled pieces on the coals, which proved more agreeable; 
and when the skin of the wild hog was consumed, they re¬ 
sorted to others. The different skins were preserved with 
the utmost anxiety, and pieces concealed in bags constantly 
carried about by the owners. Some likewise devoured 
their leathern jackets and shoes; and the ship boys ap¬ 
peased their ravening hunger, by sucking the horn plates 
of the numerous lanthorns in the ship, and eating the wax 
candles wherever they could be found. All the crew were 
gradually reduced so low as to be incapable of pumping the 
vessel ; and they were chilled to inaction, by the blasts ot 
a cold north wind, for fifteen days. 

All the things above mentioned being consumed, and 
every other article that could be ate, down to the leather, 
and the very coverings of trunks, the last moments of the 
unfortunate people seemed to be approaching. But ne¬ 
cessity the parent of invention, inspired some of their num¬ 
ber with the idea of hunting lor rats. Numbers of these 
creatures, themselves pinched with hunger, from the priva¬ 
tion of their accustomed crumbs, now converted to the 
use of man, left their lurking places in .quest of food. Va¬ 
rious devices were constantly at work to catch them ; and 
-everal of the people, like cats, even lay watching for them 
during the night. Indeed this pursuit was so diligently 
fohowed, that very few rats escaped. Nay, three or four 
crowns were offered as the price of one ; and a single rat 
was then more highly prized than an ox had been ashore. 
The surgeon having been so successful as to catch two 
was offered a complete suit of clothes, at the first port, for 


WATCH I NO FOR RATS. 


217 


one of them, which he refused ; and, in strong evidence ol 
the prevailing necessity, after the master had cut off the 
feet of a large rat, which were left without the cabin door, 
he returned to collect and broil them on the coals, declar¬ 
ing that they were as savoury as the best game. Nothing 
but bones were thrown away, for the skin and entrails ol 
the animals were carefully preserved and ate. Nor did 



,1 Sailor watch ins: for fiats 


the sufferers themselves call in question but they should 
have tried to feed on grass nr straw, could such have been 
procured. 

For twenty days a famine ;o terrible prevailed, that there 
was neither a drop of wine or water in the ship. Nothing 
but a small cask of cider remained, which was served out 
at the rate of a wine glass full daily to each person. If 
rain chanced to fall, it was industriously caught in sails 
spread out, with a bullet in the centre; and what rain ran 
through the scuppers of the vessel was carefully collected, 
though far more turbid than water in the kennels of a town. 

On comparing the present case with a famine at the 
19 









218 


FAMINE IN LE JACQUES. 


siege of Sancerre, it seemed still more depk/rable; for 
there, in addition to skins and leathern shields, the be¬ 
sieged had roots to feed upon. But here, some were re¬ 
duced to the exigence of trying to gnaw Brazil wood, the 
hardest and driest of any, with their teeth. When Philip, 
the chief of the passengers, was thus employed, he said, 
with a deep sigh, “ Lery, my friend, four thousand pounds 
are owing to me in France ; which I would gladly relin¬ 
quish for a loaf of bread and a glass of wine.” 

“ At last,” says Lery, “ God, who had thus supported 
our famished bodies, took compassion upon us, and brough 
us within sight of land. We then lay almost motionless 
on deck, and the first annunciation of ‘ Land ! land !’ 
throughout the ship, made little impression upon us, we 
had been so often deceived by the pilot. Frequently he 
would have persuaded us that fogs and clouds were the 
shore, until their evanescence proved the reverse. But 
now we were quickly assured of the coast of Brittany 
being before us. 

“ The extent of our misery, and our opportune deliver¬ 
ance, may be well conceived, when the master of the ship 
declared, that had it been protracted a single day longer, 
he would have privately put one of us to death, and not 
cast lots for life, that the body might subsist the rest. Yet 
I surely was in less hazard ; for though all were excessively 
reduced, I consisted of nothing but skin and bone.” 




NARRATIVE OF THE LOSS 



op 

r H E S H I P PHCENIX, 

f)jf' Cuba, in August, 1780. By Lieutenant Archer 


The Ship Phoenix on the Rocks off Cuba. 

The Phoenix of 44 guns, Captain Sir Hyde Parker, was 
tost in a hurrirane, off Cuba, in the West Indies, in the 









LOSS OF THE SHIP PHCENfX. 


220 

year 1780 The same hurricane destroyed the T1 untferer, 
74; Stirling Castle, 64; La Blanche, 42; Laurel, 28; 
Andromeda, 28 ; Deas Castle, 24 ; Scarborough, 20; Bea¬ 
ver’s Prize, 16; Barbadoes, 14; Cameleon, 14; Endeavor, 
14; and Victor, 10 guns. Lieutenant Archer was first 
lieutenant of the Phoenix at the time she was lost His 
narrative in a letter to his mother, contains a most correct 
and animated account of one of the most awful events in 
the service. It is so simple and natural as to make the 
reader feel himself as on board the Phoenix. Every cir¬ 
cumstance is detailed with feeling, and powerful appeals 
are continually made to the heart. It must likewise afford 
considerable pleasure to observe the devout spirit of a 
seaman frequently bursting forth, and imparting sublimity 
to the relation. 

At Sea , June 30, 1781. 

My dear Mother, 

I am now going to give you an account of oyir last oruise 
in the Phoenix; and must promise, that should any one 
see it besides yourself, they must put this construction on 
it—that it was originally intended for the eyes of a mother, 
and a mother only—as, upon that supposition, my feelings 
may be tolerated. You will also meet with a number of 
sea terms, which, if you don’t understand, why, I cannot 
help you, as I am unable to give a sea description in any 
other words. 

To begin then:—On the 2d of August, 1780, we 
weighed and sailed for Port Royal, bound for Pensacola, 
having two store-ships under convoy, and to see safe in ; 
then cruise off the Havanna, and in the gulf of Mexico 
for six weeks. In a few days we made the two sandy 
islands, that look as if they had just risen out of the sea, 
or fallen from the sky ; inhabited, nevertheless, by upwards 
of three hundred English, who get their bread by catching 
turtle and parrots, and raising vegetables, which they 
exchange with ships that pass, for clothing and a few of 
the luxuries of life, as rum, Slc. 

About the 12th we arrived at Pensacola, without any 
thing remarkable happening, except our catching a vast 
quan:ity of fish, sharks, dolphins, and bonettos. On the 
13th sailed singly, and on the 14th hail a very heavy gate 


TI1E DOLLAR BAR 


22 i 


of wind at north, right off the land, so that we soon left 
the sweet place, Pensacola, a distance astern. We then 
looked into the Havanna, saw a number of ships there, 
and knowing that some of them were bound round the 
bay, we cruised in the track : a fortnight, however, passed, 
and not a single ship hove in sight to cheer our spirits. 
We then took a turn or two round the gulf, but not near 
enough to be seen from the shore. Vera Cruz we 
expected would have made us happy, but the same luck 
still continued; day followed day, and no sail. The dol¬ 
lar bag began to grow a little bulky, for every one had 
lost two or three times, and no one had won : this was a 
small gambling party entered into by Sir Hyde and our¬ 
selves ; every one put a dollar into a bag, and fixed on a 
day when we should see a sail, but no two persons were 
to name the same day, and whoever guessed right first 
was to have the bag. 

Being now tired of our situation, and glad the cruise 
was almost out, for we found the navigation very danger¬ 
ous, owing to unaccountable currents; we shaped our 
course for Cape Antonio. The next day the man at the 
mast-head, at about one o’clock in the afternoon, called 
out: “ A sail upon the weather bow ! Ha ! Ha ! Mr. 
Spaniard, I think we have you at last. Turn out all 
hands ! make sail! All hands give chase ! ” There was 
scarcely any occasion for this order, for the sound of a 
sail being in sight flew like wild fire through the ship, and 
every sail was set in an instant, almost before the orders 
were given. A lieutenant at the mast-head, with a spy 
glass. “ What is she ?” “A large ship studding athwart 
right before the wind. P-o-r-t! Keep her away ! set the 
studding sails ready!” Up comes the little doctor, rub¬ 
bing his hands; “Ha! ha! I have won the bag.” 
“ The devil take you and the bag ; look, what’s ahead 
will fill all our bags.” Mast-head again : “ Two more 

sail on the larboard beam!” “Archer, go up, and see 
what you can make of them.” “ Upon deck there ; I see 
a whole fleet of twenty sail coming right before the wind.” 
“ Confound the luck of it, this is some convoy or other, 
but we must try if we can pick some of them out.” 
19* 


222 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PIKENIX. 


‘ Haul down the studding-sails! Luff! bring her to the 
wind ! Let us see what we can make of them.” 

About live we got pretty near them, and found them 
to be twenty-six sail of Spanish merchantmen, under con¬ 
voy of three line of battle ships, one of which chased us: 
but when she found we were playing with her (for the old 
Phoenix had heels) she left chase, and joined the convoy ; 
which they drew up into a lump, and placed themselves 
at the outside; but we still kept smelling about till after 
dark. O, for the Hector, the Albion, and a frigate, and 
we should take the whole fleet and convoy, worth some 
millions ! About eight o’clock perceived three sail at 
some distance from the fleet; dashed in between them, 
and gave chase, and were happy to find they steered from 
the fleet. About twelve came up with a large ship of 
twenty-six guns. “ Archer, every man to his quarters! 
run the lower deck guns out, and light the ship up : show 
this fellow our force ; it may prevent his firing into us 
and killing a man or two.” No sooner said than done. 
“ Hoa, the ship ahoy, lower all your sails down, and bring 
to instantly, or Fll sink you.” Clatter, clatter, went the 
blocks, and away flew all their sails in proper confusion. 
“What ship is that?” “ The Polly.” “ Whence came 
you?” “From Jamaica.” “Where are you bound?” 
“ To New York.” “What ship is that?” “ The Phoe¬ 
nix.” Huzza, three times by the whole ship’s company. 
An old grum feflow of a sailor standing close by me: 
“O, d—m your Ihree cheers, we took you to be some¬ 
thing else.” Upon examination we found it to be as he 
reported, and that they had fallen in with the Spanish 
fleet that morning, and were chased the whole day, and 
that nothing saved them but our stepping in between; 
for the Spaniards took us for three consorts, and the 
Polly took the Phoenix for a Spanish frigate, till we hailed 
them. The other vessel in company was likewise bound 
to New York. Thus was I, from being worth thousands 
in idea, reduced to the old 4s. 6d. a day again : for the 
little doctor made the most prize money of us all that day, 
by winning the bag, which contained between thirty and 
forty dollars; but this is nothing o what we sailors some 
times undergo. 


BREAKERS AHEAD. 


223 


After parting company, we steered south-south east, to 
go round Antonio, and so to Jamaica, (our cruise being 
out) with our fingers in our mouths, and all of us as green 
as you please. It happened to be my middle watch, and 
about three o’clock, when a man upon the forecastle bawls 
out • “ breakers ahead, and land upon the lee-bowI 
looked out, and it was so sure enough. “ Ready about! 
put the helm down ! Helm a lee !” Sir Hyde hearing 
me put the ship about, jumped upon deck. “ Archer 
what’s the matter? you are putting the ship about without 
my orders!” “ Sir, ’tis time to go abput; the ship is 
almost ashore, there\s the land.” “Good God so it is! 
Will the ship stay ?” “ Yes, Sir, I believe she will, if we 

don’t make Aiy confusion ; she’s all aback—forward 
now?” “Well,” says he, “work the ship, I will not 
speak a single word.” The ship stayed very well. “ Then, 
heave the lead ! see what water we have!” “ Three 

fathom.” “ Keep the ship away, west-north-west.”—“ By 
the mark three.” “This won’t do, Archer.” “ No, sir, 
we had better haul more to the northward ; we came 
south-south-east, and had better steer north-north-west.” 
“ Steady, and a quarter three.” “ This may do, as we 
deepen a little. “By the deep four.” “ Very well, my 
lad, heave quick.” “ Five fathom.” “ That ’s a fine fel¬ 
low ! another cast nimbly.” “ Quarter less eight.” “ That 
will do, come, we shall get clear by and by.” “ Mark 
under water five.” “ What’s that ?” “ Only five fathom, 

Sir.” “ Turn all hands up, bring the ship to an anchor, 
boy !” “ Are the anchors clear !” “ In a moment, Sir,” 

“ All clear !” “ What water have you in the chains now !” 
“ Eight, half nine.” “ Keep fast the anchors till I call 
you.” “ Ay, ay, Sir, all fast!” “I have no ground with 
this line.” “How many fathoms have you out? pass 
along the deep-sea line !” “ Ay, ay, Sir.” “ Come, are 

you all ready ?” “ All ready, Sir.” “ Heave away, watch ! 
watch ! bear away, veer away, no ground, Sir, with a 
hundred fathom.” “ That’s clever, come, Madam Phoenix, 
there is another squeak in you yet—all down but the 
watch; secure the anchors again; heave the main-top-sail 
to the mast; luff, and bring her to the wind !” 

I told you, Madam, you should have a little sea-jargon: 


loss of rrrr: ship phcenix. 


* 3-7 1 

X 

if you can understand half of what is already said, I woo* 
der at it, though it is nothing to what is to come yet 
when the old hurricane begins. As soon as the ship w r as 
a little to rights, and all quiet again, Sir Hyde came to me 
in the most friendly manner, the tears almost starting 
from his eyes—Archer, we ought all, to be much obliged 
to you for the safety of the ship, and perhaps of ourselves. 

1 am particularly so ; nothing but that instantaneous pres¬ 
ence of mind and calmness saved her: another ship’s 
ength and we should have been fast on shore; had you 
been tb'e least diffident, or made the least confusion, so 
as to make the ship baulk in her stays, she must have been 
inevitably lost.” “ Sir, you are very good, but I have 
done nothing that I suppose any body else would not 
have done, in the same situation. I did not turn all the 
hands up, knowing the watch able to work the ship ; 
besides, had it spread immediately about the ship, that 
she was almost ashore, it might have created a confusion 
that was better avoided.” “ Well,” says he, “’t is well 
indeed.” 

At daylight we found that the current had set us 
between the Collarado rocks and Cape Antonio, and that 
we could not have got out any other way than we did ; 
there was a chance, but Providence is the best pilot. We 
had sunset that day twenty leagues to the south-east of 
uur reckoning by the current. 

After getting clear of this scrape, we thought ourselves 
fortunate, and made sail for Jamaica, but misfortune 
seemed to follow misfortune. The next night, my watch 
upon deck too, we were overtaken by a squall, like a hur¬ 
ricane while it lasted; for though I saw it coming, and 
prepared for it, yet, when it took the ship, it roared, and 
laid her down so, that I thought she would never get up 
again. However, by keeping her away, and clewing up 
every thing, she righted. The remainder of the night w'e 
had very heavy squalls, and in the morning found the 
mainmast sprung half the way through: one hundred and 
twenty-three leagues to the leeward of Jamaica, the hur¬ 
ricane months coming on, the head of the mainmast 
almost off, and at a short allowance; well, we must make 
the best of it. The mainmast was well fished, but we 
were obliged to be very tender of carrying sail. 


THREATENED WITH A SQUALL 


225 


Nothing remarkable happened for ten days afterwards, 
when we chased a Yankee man-of-war for six hours, but 
could not get near enough to her before it was dark, to 
keep sight of her ; so that we lost her because unable to 
carry any sail on the mainmast. In about twelve days 
more made the island of Jamaica, having weathered all 
the squalls, and put into Montego Bay for water; so 
that We had a strong party for kicking up a dust on 
shore, having found three men of war lying there. Dan¬ 
cing, &c. dec. till two o’clock every morning; little think¬ 
ing what was to happen in four days’ time: for out cf 
the four men of war that were there, not one was in being 
at the end of that time, and not a soul alive but those 
left of our crew. Many of the houses, where we had 
been so merry, were so completely destroyed, that scarcely 
a vestige remained to mark where they stood. Thy works 
are wonderful, O God ! praised be thy holy Name ! 

September the 30th weighed ; bound for Port Royal, 
round the eastward of the island ; the Barbadoes and 
Victor had sailed the day before, and the Scarborough 
was to sail the next. Moderate weather until October 
the 2d. Spoke to the Barbadoes off Port Antonio in the 
evening. At eleven at night it began to snuffle, with a 
monstrous heavy appearance from the eastward. Close 
reefed the top-sails. Sir Hyde sent for me: “What 
sort of weather have we, Archer!” “It blows a little, 
and has a very ugly look : if in any other quarter but this, 
I should say we were going to have a gale of wind.” 
u Ay, it looks so very often here when there is no wind 
at all ; however, don’t hoist the top-sails till it clears a 
little, there is no trusting any country.” At twelve I was 
relieved : the weather had the same rough look : however, 
they made sail upon her, but had a very dirty night. At 
eight in the morning I came up again, found it blowing 
hard from the east-north-east with close-reefed top-sails 
upon the ship, and heavy squalls at times. Sir Hyde camo 
upon deck: “Well, Archer, what do you think of it!” 
“ O, Sir, ’t is only a touch of the times, we shall have an 
observation at twelve o’clock; the clouds are beginning 
io break ; it will clear up at noon, or else—blow very hard 
afterwards.” “I wish it would clear up, but I doubt it 


226 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PHCEN1X. 


much. 1 was once in a hurricane in the East Indies, ana 
the beginning of it had much the same appearance as this 
So take in the top-sails, we have plenty of sea-room.” 

At twelve, the gale still increasing, wore ship, to keep as 
near mid-channel, between Jamaica and Cuba, as possible ; 
at one the gale increasing still ; at two harder yet: it still 
blows harder! Reefed the courses, and furled them; 
brought to under a foul mizen stay-sail, head to the north¬ 
ward. In the evening no sign of the weather taking off, 
but every appearance of the storm increasing, prepared for 
a proper gale of wind ; secured all the sails with spare gas¬ 
kets; good rolling tackles upon the yards; squared the 
booms ; saw the boats all made fast; new lashed the guns ; 
double breeched the lower deckers; saw that the carpen¬ 
ters had the tarpawlings and battens all ready for hatch¬ 
ways ; got the top-gallant-mast down upon the deck; 
jib-boom and sprit-sail-yard fore and aft; in fact every 
thing we could think of to make a snug ship. 

The poor devils of birds now began to find the uproar 
: n the elements, for numbers, both of sea and land kinds, 
tame on board of us. I took notice of some, which hap¬ 
pening to be to leeward, turned to windward, like a ship, 
tack and tack ; for they could not fly against it. When 
they came over the ship they dashed themselves down 
upon the deck, without attempting to stir till picked up, 
and when let go again, they would not leave the ship, but 
endeavored to hide themselves from the wind. 

At eight o’clock a hurricane; the sea roaring, but the 
wind still steady to a point; did not ship a spoonful of 
water. However, got the hatchways all secured, expect¬ 
ing what would be the consequence, should the wind 
shift; placed the carpenters by the mainmast, with broad 
axes, knowing, from experience, that at the moment you 
may want to cut it away to save the ship, an axe may not 
be found. Went to supper : bread, cheese, and porter. 
The purser frightened out of his wits about his bread 
bags; the two marine officers as white as sheets, not 
understanding the ship’s working so much, and the noise 
of the lower deck guns ; which, by this time, made a 
pretty screeching to people not used to it; it seemed as 
if the whole ship’s side was going at each roll. Wooden , 


SAILS TORN TO SHREDS. 


227 


our carpenter, was all this time smoiting Ins pipe and 
laughing at tie doctor; the second lieutenant upon deck, 
and the third in his hammock. 

At ten o’clock I thought to get a little sleep ; came to 
look into my cot; it was full of water ; for every seam, by 
the straining of the ship, had begun to leak. Stretched 
myself, therefore, upon deck between two chests, and left 
orders to be called, should the least thing happen. At 
twelve a midshipman came to me : “ Mr. Archer, we are 

just going to wear ship, Sir!” “ O, very well, I’ll be uj 
directly, what sort of weather have you got?” “ It blows 
a hurricane.” Went upon deck, found Sir Hyde there. 
‘ It blows damned hard, Archer.” “ It does indeed, Sir.” 
; I don’t know that I ever remember its blowing so hard 
oefore, but the ship makes a very good weather of it upon 
this tack as sne bows the sea; but we must wear her, as 
the wind has shifted to the south-east, and we were draw¬ 
ing right upon Cuba: so do you go forward, and have 
some hands stand by; loose the lee yard-arm of the fore¬ 
sail, and when she is right before the wind, whip the 
clue-garnet close up, and roll up the sail.” “ Sir ! there 
is no canvass can stand against this a moment; if we 
attempt to loose him he will fly into ribands in an instant, 
and we may lose three or four of our people; she’ll wear 
by manning the fore shrouds.” “ No, I don’t think she 
will.” “ I’ll answer for it, Sir; I have seen it tried several 
times on the coast of America with success.” “ Well, try 
it; if she docs not wear, we can only lose the fore-sail 
afterwards.” This was a great condescension from such 
a man as Sir Hyde. However, bv sending about two 
hundred people into the fore-rigging, after a hard struggle, 
she wore; found she did not make so good weather on 
this tack as on the other ; for as the sea began to run 
across, she had not time to rise from one sea before another 
lashed against her. Began to think we should lose our 
masts, as the ship lay very much along, by the pressure of 
the wind constantly upon the yards and masts alone: for 
the poor mizen-stcfy-sail had gone in shreds long before, 
and the sails began to fly from the yards through the gas¬ 
kets into coach whips. My God ! to think that the wind 
could have such orce ! 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PHOLN1X. 


228 


Sir Hyde now sent me to see what was the rnattei 
between decks, as there was a good deal of noise. As 
soon as I-was below, one of the Marine officers call? out 
“ Good God ! Mr. Archer, we are sinking, the water is up 
to the bottom of my cot.” “ Pooh, pooh ! as long as it is 
not over your mouth, you are well off; what the devil do 
you make this noise for?” I found there was some water 
between decks, but nothing to be alarmed at: scuttled the 
deck, and let it run into the well; found she made a good 
deal of water through the sides and decks ; turned the 
watch below to the pumps, though only two feet of water 
in the well ; but expected to be kept constantly afr work 
now, as the ship labored much, with scarcely a part of her 
above water but the quarter deck, and that but seldom. 
“ Come, pump away, my boys. Carpenters, get the 
weather chain-pump rigged.” “All ready, Sir.” “Then 
man it, and keep both pumps going.” 

At two o’clock the chain-pump was choked ; set the 
carpenters at work to clear it; the two head pumps at 
work upon deck : the ship gained upon us while our chain- 
pumps were idle: in a quarter of an hour they were at 
work again, and we began to gain upon her. While I 
was standing at the pumps, cheering the people, the car¬ 
penter’s mate came running to me with a face as long as 
my arm: “ O, Sir! the ship has sprung a leak in the 

gunner’s room.” “Go, then, and tell the carpenter to 
come to me, but don’t speak a word to any one else.” 
“ Mr. Goodinoh, I am told there is a leak in the gunner’s 
room; go and see what is the matter, but don’t alarm any 
body, and come and make your report privately to me.” 
In a short time he returned : “ Sir, there’s nothing there, 

, tis only the water washing up between the timbers that 
this booby has taken for a leak.” “ O, very well ; go 
upon deck and see if you can keep any of the water from 
washing down below.” “ Sir, I have had four people 
constantly keeping the hatchways secure, but there is such 
a weight of water upon the deck that nobody can stand it 
when the ship rolls.” The gunner soon afterwards came 
to me : “ Mr. Archer, I should be glad if you would step 

this way into the magazine for a moment I thought 
some damned thing was the matter, and ran directly. 































































































































1H£ MAINMAST SPRUNG. 


231 


Well, what is the matter here ?” “ The ground-tier of 

powder is spoiled, and I want to show you that it is not 
out of carelessness in me in stowing it, for no powder in 
the world could be better stowed. Now, Sir, what am I 
to do ? if you don’t speak to Sir Hyde, he will be angry 
with me.” I could not forbear smiling to see how easy 
he took the danger of the ship, and said to him: “ Let 

us shake off this gale of wind first, and talk of the damaged 
powder afterwards.” 

At four we had gained upon the ship a little, and I went 
upon deck, it being my watch. The second lieutenant 
relieved me at the pumps. Who can attempt to describe 
the appearance of things upon deck ? If I was to write 
for ever I could not give you an idea of it—a total dark¬ 
ness all above; the sea on fire, running as it were in Alps, 
or Peaks of Teneriffe; (mountains are too common an 
idea;) the wind roaring louder than thunder, (absolutely 
no flight of imagination,) the whole made more terrible, if 
possible, by a very uncommon kind of blue lightning; the 
poor ship very much pressed, yet doing what she could, 
shaking her sides, and groaning at every stroke. Sir 
Hyde upon deck lashed to windward ! I soon lashed my¬ 
self alongside of him, and told him the situation of things 
below, saying the ship did not make more water than 
1 might be expected in such weather, and that I was only 
afraid of a gun breaking loose. “ I am not in the least 
afraid of that; I have commanded her six years, and have 
had many a gale of wind in her ; so fhat her iron work, 
which always gives way first, is pretty well tried. Hold 
fast! that was an ugly sea ; we must lower the yards, I 
believe, Archer; the ship is much pressed.” “ If we 
attempt it, Sir, we shall lose them, for a man aloft can do 
nothing ; besides their being down would ease the ship 
very little: the mainmast is a sprung mast; I wish it was 
overboard without carrying any thing else along with it; 
but that can soon be done, the gale cannot last for ever ; 
’twill soon be daylight now.” Found by the master’s 
watch that it was five o’clock, though but,a little after 
four by ours; glad it was so near daylight, and looked for 
it with much anxiety. Cuba, thou art much in our way! 
Another ugly sea : sent a midshipman to bring news from 


232 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PHCEN1X. 


the pumps : the ship was gaining on them very much, for 
they had broken one of their chains, but it was almost 
mended again. News from the pump again. “ She still 
gains ! a heavy lee !” Back-water from leeward, half-way 
up the quarter-deck ; filled one of the cutters upon the 
booms, and tore her all to pieces ; the ship lying almost 
on her beam ends, and not attempting to right again. 
Word from below that the ship still gained on them, as 
they could not stand to the pumps, she lay so much along. 
I said to Sir Hyde: “ This is no time, Sir, to think of 

saving the masts, shall we cut the mainmast away ?” 
“ Ay ! as fast as you can.” I accordingly went into the 
chains w ith a pole-axe, to cut away the lanyards; the 
boatswain went to leeward, and the carpenters stood by 
the mast. We were all ready, when a very violent sea 
broke right on board of us, carried every thing upon deck 
away, filled the ship with water, the main and mizen- 
masts went, the ship righted, but w'as in the last struggle 
of sinking under us. 

As soon as we could shake our heads above water, Sir 
Hyde exclaimed : “We are gone, at last, Archer ! foun¬ 
dered at sea!” “ Yes, Sir, farewell, and the Lord have 

mercy upon us!” I then turned about to look forward at 
the ship; and thought she was struggling to get rid of 
some of the water; but all in vain, she was almost full 
below'. “ Almighty God! I thank thee, that now I am 
leaving this world, which I have always considered as only 
a passage to a better, I die with a full hope of thy mercies, 
through the merits of Jesus Christ, thy son, our Saviour!” 

I then felt sorry that I could swim, as by that means I 
might be a quarter of an hour longer dying than a man 
w'ho could not, and it is impossible to divest ourselves of 
a wish to preserve life. At the end of these reflections I 
thought I heard the ship thump and grinding under our 
feet; it w r as so. “ Sir, the ship is ashore !” “ What do 

y du say?” “The ship is ashore, and we may save our¬ 
selves yet!” By this time the quarter-deck w 7 as full of 
men w'ho had come up from below ; and ‘ the Lord have 
mercy upon us,’ flying about from all quarters. The ship 
now made every body sensible that she was ashore, for 
every stroke threatened a total dissolution of her whole 


THE SHIP STRIKES. 


233 


frame ; found she was stern ashore, and the bow broke 
the sea a good deal, though it was washing clean over at 
every stroke. Sir Hyde cried out: “ Keep to the quar¬ 

ter-deck, my lads, when she goes to pieces ’t is your best 
chance !” Providentially got the foremast cut away, that 
she might not pay round broad-side. Lost five men cut¬ 
ting away the fore-mast, by the breaking of a sea on board 
just as the mast went. That was nothing; every one 
expected it would be his own fate next; looked for day¬ 
break with the greatest impatience. At last it came ; but 
what a scene did it show us! The ship upon a bed of 
rocks, mountains of them on one# side, and Cordilleras of 
water on the other ; our poor ship grinding and crying 
out at every stroke between them ; going away by piece¬ 
meal. However, to show the unaccountable workings of 
Providence, that which often appears to be the greatest 
evil, proves to be the greatest good ! That unmerciful 
sea lifted and beat us up so high among the rocks, that at 
last the ship scarcely moved. She was very strong, and 
did not go to pieces at the first thumping, though her 
decks tumbled in. We found afterwards that she had 
beat over a ledge of rocks, almost a quarter of a mile in 
extent beyond us, where, if she had struck, every soul of 
us must have perished. 

I now began to think of getting on shore, so stripped 
off my coat and shoes for a swim, and looked for a line to 
carry the end with me. Luckily could not find one, 
which gave me time for recollection : “ This wont do for 

me, to be the first man out of the ship, and first lieutenant; 
we may get to England again, and people may think I 
paid a great deal of attention to myself and did not care 
for any body else. No, that wont do ; instead of being 
the first, I’ll see every man, sick and well, out of her 
before me.” 

1 now thought there was no probability of the ship’s 
soon going to pieces, therefore had not a thought of instant 
death : took a look round with a kind of philosophic eye, 
to see how the same situation affected my companions, 
and was surprised to find the most swaggering, swearing 
bullies in fine weather, now the most pitiful wretches on 
earth, wnen death appeared before them. However, two 


234 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PHOENIX 


got safe; by which means, with a line, we got a hawsei 
on shore, and made fas>t to the rocks, upon wnich many 
ventured and arrived safe. There were some sick and 
wounded on board, who could not avail themselves of this 
method ; we, therefore, got a spare top-sail-yard from the 
chains and placed one end ashore and the other on the 
cabin window, so that most of the sick got ashore this way. 

As I had determined, so I was the last man out of the 
hip; this was about ten o’clock. The gale now began 
o break. Sir Hyde came to me, and taking me by the 
nand was so affected that he was scarcely able to speak. 
“ Archer, I am happy beyond expression, to see you on 
shore, but look at our poor Phoenix!” I turned about, 
but could not say a single word, being too full: my mind 
had been too intensely occupied before ; but every thing 
now rushed upon me at once, so that I could not contain 
myself, and I indulged for a full quarter of an hour in 
tears. 

By twelve it was pretty moderate ; got some nails on 
shore and made tents ; found great quantities of fish driven 
up by the sea into holes of the rocks; knocked up a fire, 
and had a most comfortable dinner. In the afternoon 
made a stage from the cabin windows to the rocks, and 
got out some provisions and water, lest the ship should go 
to pieces, in which case we must all have perished of 
hunger and thirst; for we were upon a desolate part of 
the coast, and under a rocky mountain, that could not 
supply us with a single drop of water. 

Slept comfortably this night and the next day, the idea 
of death vanishing by degrees, the prospect of being pris¬ 
oners, during the war, at Havanna, and walking three 
hundred miles to it through the w'oods, was rather unpleas¬ 
ant. However, to save life for the present, we employed 
this day in getting more provisions and water on shore, 
which was not an easy matter, on account of decks, guns, 
and rubbish, and ten feet water that lay over them. In 
the evening 1 proposed to Sir Hyde to repair the remains 
of the only boat left, and to venture in her to Jamaica 
myself; and in case I arrived safe, to bring vessels to take 
them all off; a proposal worthy of consideration It was, 
next day, agreed to ; therefore got the cutter on shore, 


EMBARK. JN THE CUTTER. 


235 


and set the carpenters to work on her; in two days she 
was ready, and at four o’clock in the afternoon I embarked 
with four volunteers and a fortnight’s provision, hoisted 
English colors as we put off from the shore, and received 
three cheers from the lads left behind, which we returned, 
and set sail with a light heart; having not the least doubtj 
that, with God’s assistance, we should come and bring 
them all oft' Had a very squally night, and a very leaky 
boat, so as to keep two buckets constantly bailing. Steered 
her myself the whole night by the st^rs, and in the morn 
ing saw the coast of Jamaica distant twelve leagues. At 
eight in the evening arrived at Montego Bay. 

I must now begin to leave oft*, particularly as I have 
but half an hour to conclude ; else my pretty little short 
letter will lose its passage, which I should not like, after 
being ten days, at different times, writing it, beating up 
with the convoy to the northward, which is a reason that 
this epistle will never read well; for I never sat down 
with a proper disposition to go on with it; but as I knew 
something of the kind would please you, I was resolved 
to finish it: yet it will not bear an overhaul ; so don’t 
expose your son’s nonsense. 

But to proceed—I instantly sent off*an express to the 
admiral, another to the Porcupine man-of-war, and went 
myself to Martha Bay to get vessels ; for all their vessels 
here, as w r ell as many of their houses, were gone to Moco. 
Got three small vessels, and set out back again to Cuba, 
where I arrived the fourth day after leaving my compan¬ 
ions. I thought the ship’s crew would have devoured me 
on my landing; they presently whisked me up on their 
shoulders and carried me to the tent where Sir Hyde was. 

I must omit many little occurrences that happened on 
shore, for want of time ; but I shall have a number of 
stories to tell when I get alongside of you ; and the next 
time I visit you I shall not be in such a hurry to quit you 
as I was the last, for then I hoped my nest would have 
been pretty well feathered :—But my tale is forgotten. 

I found the Porcupine had arrived that day, and tho 
lads had built a boat almost ready for launching, that 
would hold fifty of them, which was intended for another 
trial, in ca c I had foundered. Next day embarked all 


236 


LOSS OF THE SHIP PIICENIX. 



our people that were left, amounting to two hundred and 
fifty; for some had died of their wounds they received in 
getting on shore; others of drinking rum, and others had 
straggled into the country. All our vessels were so full 
of people, that we could not take away the few clothe* 
that were saved from the wreck ; but that was a trifle 
since we had preserved our lives and liberty To make 
short of my story, we all arrived safe at Montego Bay, and 
shortly after at Port Royal, in the Janus, which was sent 
on purpose for us, and were all honorably acquitted for 
the loss of the ship. I was made admiral’s aid-de-camp, 
and a little time afterwards sent down to St Juan’s as 
captain of the Resource, to bring what were left of the 
poor devils to Blue Fields, on the Musquito shore, and 
then to Jamaica, where they arrived after three months 
absence, and without a prize, though I looked out hard 
off Porto Bello and Carthagena. Found in my absence 
that I had been appointed captain of the Tobago, where 
I remain his Majesty’s most true and faithful servant, and 
my dear mother’s most dutiful son, 

-ARCHER 




/ 



The frigate Alceste off the forts of the Bocca Tigris. 









































































































NARRATIVE OF THE LOSS 


OF THE 


FRIGATE ALCESTE; 

Containing the British Embassy to China, Lord Am¬ 
herst and Suite, on the Island of Pulo Leat, in the 
Indian Ocean . With an Account of Captain Max¬ 
well, the Proceedings on the Island, Hostilities ivith 
the Natives, and safe arrival at Batavia . 


In 1816, the frigates Alceste and Lion were commission¬ 
ed to carry the British Ambassador, Lord Amherst and 
suite to China. The Alceste was commanded by Captain 
Murray Maxwell, and the Lion by Capt. Basil Hall. After 
Lord Amherst and suite had visited Pekin, and had an 
audience with the Emperor, he re-embarked at Whampoa 
on his return to England on the 21st of January 1817. 
After exchanging salutes with the forts of the Bocca Tigris, 
the Alceste touched at the ancient Portuguese city of 
Macao. This city has a very pleasant appearance ; the 
remains of its opulence are several fine houses, let out to 
the supercargoes of different nations. The gift of the 
ground on which this city is built, is a monument of the 
Emperor Carnhy’s gratitude, and was given to the Portu¬ 
guese for having destroyed, in the islands adjacent to Can¬ 
ton the pirates who infested those seas, and ravaged all 
the coasts of China. After touching at Manila, and round¬ 
ing the numerous clusters of rocks and shoals lying to the 
westward of the Phillipines, and to the north-west of Bor 
nco, they steered for the straits of Gaspar. 



240 


LOSS OF THE I'ftfGATE ALCKSTE. 


At daylight, on the morning of Feb. 1817, we made 
Gaspar island, exactly at the time expected, and passing 
it, stood on for the Straits of Banca. The lead was kept 
going: and every precaution taken to guard against acci¬ 
dent. Steering under these guarded circumstances, be 
tween Banca and Pulo Leat, about half past seven in the 
morning, the ship struck with a horrid crash on a reef of 
sunken rocks, and remained immovable. It was found 
that any attempt to move her would be attended with the 
most fatal consequences; for, on each side of the rocks 
on which she hung off the rock she would have sunk 
instantly; the best bower anchor was accordingly let go 
to keep her fast; and the pumps abandoned, as large 
holes were evidently beat in her bottom. Notwithstand¬ 
ing the perilous situation of the ship’s company every one 
was cool and collected. The boats were hoisted out, ana 
Lieutenant Hoppner, with a barge and cutter, proceeded 
with Lord Amherst and suite, to the nearest part of the 
island, which appeared to be about three miles distant; in 
the meantime every exertion was made to save what pro¬ 
visions and useful articles could be obtained from between 
decks by means of diving for them. A raft was also con¬ 
structed, on which were placed the heavier stores and 
baggage. By the return of the boats which carried Lord 
Amherst on shore, we learnt the great difficulty of effect¬ 
ing a landing, the mangrove trees glowing out to a great 
distance in the water; and it was not till ranging along 
shore for three miles, that a small opening appeared, 
through which by scrambling from rock to rock, they at 
last obtained a footing on terra firma. Here by cutting 
away a quantity of the smaller jungle at the foot of a hill 
(for the island was completely overgrown with wood,) a 
space was cleared away, where under the shade of the 
loftier trees they bivouacked for that day and night. Par¬ 
ties were now despatched for water, but none could be 
found on the island; and the crew began to suffer teriiblv 
from thirst. A consultation was now held, and it was 
determined to send Lord Amherst and suite in the two 
boats to Java ; from which place he was to send a vessel 
immediately to rescue those who remained on the island. 
Those who went in the boats amounted to forty-seven, and 


• DIGGING FOR WATER. 


24 


had with them a very slender stock of provisions: consis 
ting of a side of mutton, a ham, a tongue, about twenty 
pounds of coarse biscuit, and some few more of fine • 
seven gallons of water, the same of beer, as many of 
spruce, and thirty bottles of wine. After pulling outwards 
a little way to clear all the rocks, they made sail to the 
southward, attended by the best wishes of every man on 
the island, and were soon out of sight. 

The number left behind was two hundred, men and boys 
and one woman. The first measure of Captain Maxwell, 
after fixing a party to dig a well in a spot which was judged, 
from a combination of circumstances, the most likely to 
find water, was to remove our bivouac to the top of the 
hill, where we could breathe a cooler and purer air—a 
place, in all respects, not only better adapted to the pre 
servation of our health, but to our defence in case of attack 
A path Was cut upwards, and a party employed in clearing 
away and setting fire to the underwood on the summit 
This last operation tended much to free us from myriads 
of ants, and of snakes, scorpions, centipedes, and other rep¬ 
tiles, which, in such a place and climate generally abound. 
Others were employed in removing upwards our small 
stock of provisions, which were deposited, under a strict 
guard, in a sort of natural magazine, formed by the tumb¬ 
ling together of some huge masses of rock on the highest 
part of this eminence. On board the wreck a party was 
stationed, endeavoring to gain any accession they cou.d to 
our stock of previsions and arms, and to save any public 
stores that could be found. There was a communication 
for this purpose between the shore and the ship whenever 
the tide permitted. For the last two days every one had 
experienced much misery from thirst. A small cask of 
water (the only one which could be obtained from the 
ship,) was scarcely equal to a pint each in the course of 
that period ; and perhaps no question was ever so anxious¬ 
ly repeated as, “ What hope from the well ? ” About eleven 
ut night the diggers had got, by rather a tortuous direction, 
on account of large stones, as far down as twenty feet, 
when they came to a clayey or marley soil, that above it 
beifig a red earth, which seemed rather moist, and had 
nothing saline in the taste. At a little past midnight a 


242 


LOSS OF THE FRIGATE ALCESfE. 


bottle of muddy water was brought to the captain as a spo 
cimen ; and, the moment that it was understood to be fresh, 
the rush to the well was such as to impede the workmen 
therefore it became necessary to plant sentries to enable 
them to complete their task, and permit the water to settle 
a little. Fortunately, about this time a heavy shower of 
rain fell; and, by spreading sheets, table-cloths, &c., and 
wringing them, some relief was afforded. There are few 
situations in which men, exposed, without shelter, to a tor 
rent of rain, would, as in the present instance, hail that 
circumstance as a blessing. Bathing in the sea was also 
resorted to by many, in order to drink by absorption —and 
they fancied it afforded relief. 

Thursday 20th.—During this day the well afforded a 
pint of water for each man. It had a sweetish milk-and 
water taste, something like the juice of the cocoa nut; but 
nobody found fault with it. On the contrary, it diffused 
that sort of happiness which only they can feel who have 
felt the horrible sensation of thirst under a vertical sun, 
subject at the same time to a harassing and fatiguing duty 
This day was employed in getting up every thing &om the 
foot of the hill—boats passing to the ship; but, unfortu¬ 
nately, almost every thing of real value to us in our present 
case, was under water. We were in hopes, however, that, 
as no bad weather was likely to happen, we might be ena¬ 
bled, by scuttling at low water, or by burning her upper 
works, to acquire many useful articles. 

On Friday (21st) the party stationed at the ship found 
themselves, soon after daylight, surrounded by a number of 
Malay proas, apparently well armed, and full of men 
Without a single sword or musket for defence, they had 
just time to throw themselves into the boat alongside, and 
push for the shore, chased by the pirates—who, finding 
two of our other boats push out to their assistance, returned 
to the ship, and took possession of her. Soon afterwards 
it was reported, from the look-out rock, that the savages, 
armed with spears, were landing at a point about two miles 
off. Under all the depressing circumstances attending 
shipwreck—of hunger, thirst, and fatigue, and menaced bv 
a ruthless foe, it was glorious to see the British spirit 
staunch and unsubdued. The order was given for every 


THROWING UP BREAST WORKS. 


243 


man to arm himself in the best way he could; and it was 
obeyed with the utmost promptitude and alacrity. Rude 
pike-staves were formed by cutting down young trees— 
small swords, dirks, knives, chisels, and even large spike 
nails sharpened, were firmly affixed to the ends of these 
poles; and those who could find nothing better, hardened 
the end of the wood in the fire, and bringing it to a sharp 
point, formed a tolerable weapon. There were, perhaps, 
a dozen cutlasses; the marines had about thirty muskets 
and bayonets, but could muster no more than seventy-five 
ball cartridges among the whole party. We had fortunate¬ 
ly preserved some loose powder drawn from the upper deck 
guns after the ship had struck (for the magazine was under 
water in five minutes;) and the marines* by hammering 
their buttons round, and by rolling up pieces of broken 
bottles in cartridges, did their best to supply themselves 
with a sort of langrage which would have some effect at 
close quarters; and strict orders were given not to throw 
away a single shot until sure of their aim. Mr. ChefTy, the 
carpenter, and his crew, under the direction of the captain, 
were busied in forming a sort of abattis, by felling trees, 
and enclosing in a circular shape the ground we occupied < 
and, by interweaving loose branches with the stakes driven 
in among these, a breastwork was constructed, which af¬ 
forded us some cover, and must naturally impede the pro¬ 
gress of any enemy unsupplied with artillery. That part 
of the island we had landed on was a narrow ridge, not 
above a musket shot across, bounded on one side by the 
sea, and on the other by a creek, extending upwards of a 
mile inland, and nearly communicating with the sea at its 
head. Our hill was the outer point of this tongue, and its 
shape might be very well represented by an inverted punch 
bowl—the circle on which the bowl stands would then 
show the fortification, and the space within it our citadel. 

It appeared, by the report of scouts, a short time after 
the first account, that the Malays had not actually landed, 
but had taken possession of some rocks near this point, on 
which they deposited a quantity of plunder brought from 
the ship ; and during the day they continued making these 
predatory trips. 

In the evening all hands were mustered underarms, and 


244 


LOSS OF THE FRIGATE ALCESTE. 


a motley group they presented. It was gratifying how¬ 
ever, to observe that, rude as were their implements of de¬ 
fence, there seemed to be no want of spirit to use them, if 
occasion offered. The officers and men were now mar¬ 
shalled regularly into different divisions and companies, 
their various posts assigned, and other arrangements made. 
An officer and party were ordered to take charge of the 
boats for the night; and they were hauled closer into the 
landing-place. An alarm which occurred during the night 
showed the benefit of these regulations; for, on a sentry 
challenging a noise among the bushes, every one was at 
his post in an instant, and without the least confusion. 

On Saturday morning (22d) some of the Malay boats 
approached the place where ours were moored ; and, with 
the view of ascertaining whether they had any inclination 
to communicate on friendly terms, the gig, with an officer 
and four hands, pulled gently towards them, waving the 
bough of a tree (a general symbol of peace every where,) 
showing the usual demonstrations of friendship, and of a 
desire to speak to them ; but all was vain—for they were 
merely reconnoitering our position, and immediately pulled 
back to their rock. 

The second lieutenant (Mr. Hay) was now ordered, with 
the barge, cutter, and gig, armed in the best way we could, 
to proceed to the ship, and regain possession of her, either 
by fair means or by force ; the pirates not appearing at this 
time to have more than eighty men. Those on the rocks, 
seeing our boats approach, threw all their plunder into 
their vessels, and made off. 

Two of their largest proas were now at work on the 
ship; but, on observing their comrades abandon the rock, 
and the advance of the boats, they also made sail away, 
having previously set fire to the ship ; which they did so 
effectually, that in a few minutes the flames burst from 
every port, and she was enveloped in a cloud of smoke 
The boats were unable to board her, and therefore re¬ 
turned. 

Here was a period to every hope of accommodation with 
these people—if indeed, any reasonable hope could ever 
nave been entertained on that head. The Malays, more 
especially those wandering and piratical tribes who roam 


THE MALAYS FIRE THE SHIP. 


245 


about the coasts of Borneo, Billiton, and the wilder parts 
of Sumatra, are a race of savages, perhaps the most merci¬ 
less and inhuman to be found in any part of the world. 
The Battas are literally cannibals. In setting fire to the 
ship, they gave a decided proof of their disposition towards 
us. But, although certainly with no good intention, they 
merely did what we intended to do; for, by burning her 
upper works and decks, every thing buoyant could float up 
from below, and be more easily laid hold of. 

The ship continued burning during the whole of the 
night; and the flames, which could be seen through the 
openings of the trees, shed a melancholy glare around, and 
excited the most mournful ideas. This night also, all hands 
were suddenly under arms again, from a marine firing his 
musket at what he very properly considered a suspicious 
character near his post, who appeared advancing upon him, 
and refused to answer after being repeatedly hailed. It 
turned out afterwards, that the branch of a tree, half cut 
through the day before, had given way under one of a race 
of large baboons, which we found about that time disputing 
the possession of the island with us. At the well, where there 
generally was kept a good fire at night, on account of the 
mosquitos, the sentries had more than once been alarmed 
by these gentlemen showing their black faces from behind 
the trees. They became so exceedingly troublesome to 
some ducks we had saved from the wreck (seizing and 
carrying them up the trees, and letting them fall down 
again when alarmed,) that, on several occasions, they left 
their little yard, and came up among the people, when the 
monkeys got among them ; thus instinctively preferring 
the society of man for protection. 

On Sunday morning (23d) the boats were sent to the 
still smoking wreck; and some flour, a few cases of wine, 
and a cask of beer had floated up. This last God-send 
was announced just at the conclusion of divine service, 
which was this morning held in the mess-tent; and a pint 
was ordered to be immediately served out to each man. 
which called forth three cheers. This seems to be the 
only style in which a British seaman can give vent to the 
warmer feelings of his heart. It is his mode of thanksgiv¬ 
ing for benefits received; and it equally serves him to 


246 


LOSS OF THE FRIGATE ALCESTE 


honor his friend, to defy his enemy, or to proclaim victory 
This day we continued improving our fence, and clearing 
away a glacis immediately around it, that we might see 
and have fair play with these barbarians, should they ap¬ 
proach They had retired behind a little islet, called Pulo 
Chalacca, or Misfortune’s Isle, about two miles from us, and 
seemed waiting there for reinforcements ; for some of their 
party had made sail towards Billiton. 

Wednesday (26th,) at daylight, two of the pirate proas, 
with each a canoe astern, were discovered close in with 
the cove where our boats were moored. Lieutenant Hay 
(a straight forward sort of a fellow,) who had the guard 
that night at the boats, and of course slept in them, imme¬ 
diately dashed at the Malays with the barge, cutter, and 
gig. On perceiving this, they cut adrift their canoes, and 
made all sail, chased by our boats. They rather distanced 
the cutter and gig, but the barge gained upon them. On 
closing, the Malays evinced every sign of defiance, placing 
themselves in the most threatening attitudes, and firing 
their swivels at the barge. This was returned by Mr. Hay 
with the only musket he had in the boat; and, as they 
closed nearer, the Malays commenced throwing their jave¬ 
lins and darts, several falling into the barge, but without 
wounding any of the men. Soon after they were grappled 
by our fellows; when three of them having been shot, and 
a fourth knocked down with the butt-end of the musket, 
five more jumped overboard and drowned themselves (evi¬ 
dently disdaining quarter), and two were taken prisoners, 
one of whom was severely wounded. This close style 
cf fighting is termed, by seamen, man-handling an 
enemy. 

The Malays had taken some measures to sink their proa, 
for she went down almost immediately. Nothing could 
exceed the desperate ferocity of these people. One who 
had been shot through the body, but who was not quite 
dead, on his being removed into the barge, with a view ol 
saving him (as his own vessel was sinking,) furiously 
grasped a cutlass which came within his reach ; and it was 
not without a struggle wrenched from his hand. He diec 
in a few minutes. The consort of this proa, firing a part 
mg shot, bore up round the north part of the island, and 


THE MALAYS PLUNDERING. 


247 


escaped. Their canoes* (which we found very useful to 
as,) were also brought on shore, containing several arti¬ 
cles of plunder from the ship. They appeared to be the 
two identical proas which set fire to her. The prisoners 
(the one rather elderly, the other young), when brought on 
shore, seemed to have no hope of being permitted to live, 
and sullenly awaited their fate; but, on the wounds of the 
younger being dressed, the hands of the other untied, and 
food offered to them, with other marks of kindness, they 
became more cheerful, and appeared especially gratified at 
seeing one of their dead companions, who had been brought 
on shore, decently buried. 

In the forenoon, immediately after this rencounter, four¬ 
teen proas and smaller boats appeared standing across from 
the Banca side; and soon after they anchored behind Pulo 
Chalacca. Several of their people landed, and carrying up 
some bundles on their shoulders, left them in the wood, 
and returned for more. We had some hope, from the di¬ 
rection in which they first appeared, as well as their an¬ 
choring at this spot (the rendezvous agreed upon at the 
departure of Lord Amherst), that they might have been 
sent from Batavia to our relief. 

The morning of Thursday, the 27th, however, perfectly 
relieved us from any further discussion on the subject, the 
rajah and his suite having proceeded to plunder the w r reck, 
which by this time they had espied. It is probable they 
were not certain of our real situation on the first evening, 
but might have supposed, from seeing the uniforms, colors, 
and other military appearance, that some settlement, as at 
Minto, in the island of Banca, had been established there. 
And this may also account for their civility in the first in¬ 
stance ; for, from the moment their harpy-like spirit was 


* During the time the boats were absent in chase, Mr. Fisher, anxious 
to secure one of their canoes, which was drifting past with the current, 
■wain out towards it. When within a short distance of his object, an enor¬ 
mous shark was seen hovering near him, crossing and recrossing, as they 
arc sometimes observed to do before making a seizure. To have called 
out might probably have unnerved him (for he was unconscious of hia 
situation); and it was resolved to let him proceed without remark to the 
canoe, which was the nearest point of security. Happily he succeeded in 
getting into it; whilst the shark, by his too long delay, lost a very whole 
some breakfast. 


, 243 


LOSS OF HE FKIHATE ALCESTE. 


excited by the wreck, and they saw our real condition 
there were no more offerings of fish or of cocoa-nut milk. 

To have sent the boat openly to attack them was judged 
impolitic—it would only have driven them off for a mo¬ 
ment, and put them on their guard against surprise by 
night, should it be thought necessary in a day or two to do 
so. They could deprive us of little ; for the copper bolt3 
and iron work, which they were now most interested about, 
were not to us of material importance. 

We had the day before moved the boats into another 
cove, more out of sight, from the overspreading branches 
of the trees, and safer in case of attack, being commanded 
by two strong little forts, one having a rude drawbridge, 
erected on the rocks immediately above it, and wattled in, 
where an officer and piquet were nightly placed ; and a 
new serpentine path was cut down to this inlet, communi¬ 
cating with our main position aloft. 

On Friday, the 28th, the Malays were still employed on 
the wreck. A boat approached us in the forenoon ; but, 
on the gig going out to meet it, they refused to correspond, 
and returned to their party. No relief having appeared 
from Batavia, and the period being elapsed at which, as 
was now thought, we had reason to expect it, measures 
were taken, by repairing the launch and constructing a fine 
raft, to give us additional powers of transporting ourselves 
from our present abode, before our stock of provisions was 
entirely exhausted. 

On Saturday, the 1st of March, the Malays acquired a 
great accession of strength, by the arrival of fourteen more 
proas from the northward, probably of the old party, who 
joined in breaking up the remains of the wreck. 

At daylight, on Sunday the 2d, still greater force having 
joined them during the night, the pirates, leaving a number 
at work on the wreck, advanced with upwards of twenty 
of their heaviest vessels towards our landing place, fired 
one of their patereroes, beat their gongs, and, making a 
hideous yelling noise, they anchored in a line about a ca¬ 
ble’s length from our cove. We were instantly under 
arms, the party covering the boats strengthened, and 
scouts sent out to watch their motions, as some of theii 
boats had gone up the creek, at the back of our position, 


treachery OF TJ1E natives. 


249 


find to beat about, lest any should be lying in ambush 
from the land. About this time the old Malay prisoner, 
who was under charge of sentries at the well, and who had 
been incautiously trusted by them to cut some wood for 
the fire, hearing the howling of his tribe, left his wounded 
comrade to shift for himself, ran off into the woods, and 
escaped, carrying with him his hatchet. Finding, after 
waiting a short time in this state of preparation, that they 
made no attempt to land, an officer was sent a little out¬ 
side the cove in a canoe, waving in a friendly manner to 
try how they would act. After some deliberation, one of 
their boats, with several men armed with creeses, or their 
crooked daggers, approached. Here, as usual, little could 
be made out, except a display of their marauding spirit, by 
taking a fancy to the^shirt and trousers of one of the young 
gentlemen in the canoe; but, on his refusing to give them 
up, they used no force. 

In the afternoon some of the rajah’s people, whom we 
at first considered our friends, made their appearance, as 
if seeking a parley; and, on communicating with them, 
gave us to understand by signs, and as many words as 
could be made out, that ail the Malays, except their party, 
were extremely hostile to us ; that it was their determina¬ 
tion to attack us that night; and urging also, that some of 
their people should sleep up the hill, in or.der to protect 
us. Their former conduct and present connexions dis¬ 
played so evidently the treachery of this offer, that it is 
needless to say that it was rejected—giving them to under¬ 
stand that we could trust to ourselves. They immediately 
returned to their gang, who certainly assumed a most men¬ 
acing attitude. In the evening, when the officers and men 
were assembled as usual under arms, in order to inspect 
them, and settle the watches for the night, the captain 
spoke to them with much animation, almost verbatim as 
follows :— 

“ My lads, you must all have observed this day, as well 
as myself, the great increase of the enemy’s force (for ene¬ 
mies we must now consider them,) and the threatening 
posture they have assumed. I have, on various grounds, 
strong reason to believe they will attack us this night. I 
do ;»ot wish to conceal our real state, because I do not 


250 


LOSS OF THE FRIGATE ALCESTE 


think there is a man here who is afraid to face any sort of 
danger. We are now strongly fenced in, and our position 
is in all respects so good, that, armed as we are, we ought 
to make a formidable defence against even regular troops. 
What, then, would be thought of us, if we allowed our¬ 
selves to be surprised by a set of naked savages, w ith their 
spears and creeses? It is true they have swivels in their 
boats, but they cannot act here. I have not observed that 
they have any matchlocks or muskets ; but if they have, so 
have we. I do not wish to deceive you as to the means of 
resistance in our power. When w r e were first thrown to¬ 
gether on shore, we were almost defenceless—only seventy- 
five ball cartridges could be mustered—w r e have now six¬ 
teen hundred. They cannot, I believe, send up more than 
five hundred men ; but with two hundred such as now 
stand around me, I do not fear a thousand, nay, fifteen 
hundred of them. I have the fullest confidence we shall 
beat them. The pike-men standing firm, we can give them 
such a volley of musketry as they will be little prepared 
forand when we find they are thrown into confusion, we 
will sally out among them, chase them into the water, and 
ten to one but we secure their vessels. Let every man, 
therefore, be on the alert, with his arms in his hands ; and 
should these barbarians this night attempt our hill, I trust 
we shall convince them that they are dealing with Britons.” 

Perhaps three jollier hurrahs were never given than at 
the conclusion of this short but well-timed address. The 
woods fairly echoed again ; whilst the piquet at the cove, 
and those stationed at the wells, the instant it caught their 
ear, instinctively joined their sympathetic cheers to the 
general chorus. 

There was something like unity and concord in such a 
sound (one neither resembling the feeble shout nor savage 
yell.) which, rung in the ears of these gentlemen, no doubt 
had its effect; for about this time (8 P. M.) they were ob¬ 
served making signals with lights to some of their tribe 
behind the islet. If ever seamen or marines had a strong 
inducement to fight, it was on the present occasion ; for 
every thing conduced to animate them. The feeling ex¬ 
cited by a savage, cruel, and inhospitable aggression on the 
part of the Malays—an aggression adding calamity to mis- 


AN ATTACK MEDITATED. 


251 


fortune—roused every mind to a spirit of just revenge; 
and the appeal now made to them on the score of national 
character was not likely to let that feeling cool. That they 
might come, seemed to be the anxious wish of every heart 
After a slender but cheerful repast, the men laid down as 
usual on their arms, whilst the captain remained with 
those on guard to superintend his arrangements. An alarm 
during the night showed the effect of preparation on the 
people’s minds; for all, like lightning, were at their posts, 
and returned growling and disappointed because the alarm 
was false. 

Daylight, on Monday the 3d, discovered the pirates ex¬ 
actly in the same position in front of us ; ten more vessels 
Having joined them during the night, making their number 
now at least six hundred men. The plot began to thicken, 
and our situation became hourly more critical. Their 
force rapidly accumulating, and our little stock of pro¬ 
visions daily shortening, rendered some desperate measure 
immediately necessary. 

That which seemed most feasible was, by a sudden 
night attack, with our four boats well armed, to carry by 
boarding some of their vessels; and, by manning them, 
to repeat our attack with increased force, taking more, or 
dispersing them. The possession of some of their proas, 
in addition to our own boats, taking into consideration 
that our numbers would be thinned on the occasion, might 
enable us to shove off for Java, in defiance of them. Any 
attempt to move on a raft, with their vessels playing round 
it armed with swivels, was evidently impossible. Awful 
as our situation now was, and every hour becoming more 
so, starvation staring us in the face on one hand, and with¬ 
out a hope of mercy from the savages on the other; yet 
were there no symptoms of depression or gloomy despair; 
every mind seemed buoyant; and, if any estimate of the 
general feeling could be collected from countenances, from 
the manner and expressions of all, there appeared to be 
formed in every breast a calm determination to dash at 
them, and be successful; or to fall, as became men, in the 
attempt to be free. 

About noon on this day, whilst schemes and proposals 
were Hying about, as to the mode of executing the meas- 


252 


LOSS OF THE FRIGATE ALCESTE. 


ures in view, Mr. Johnstone, ever on the alert, who had 
moi nted the look-out tree, one of the loftiest on the sum¬ 
mit of our hill, descried a sail at a great distance to the 
southward, which he thought larger than a Malay vessel. 
The buzz of conversation was in a moment hushed, and 
e\ery eye fixed anxiously on the tree for the next report— 
a signal-man and telescope being instantly sent up. She 
was now lost sight of from a dark squall overspreading that 
part of the horizon; but, in about twenty minutes, she 
emerged from the cloud, and was decidedly announced to 
be a square-rigged vessel. “ Are you quite sure of that?” 
was eagerly inquired. “ Quite certain,” was the reply 
“ it is either a ship or a brig, standing towards the island 
under all sail.” The joy this happy sight infused, and the 
gratitude of every heart at this prospect of deliverance 
may be more easily conceived than described. It occa 
sioned a sudden transition of the mind from one train ol 
thinking to another, as if waking from a disagreeable dream. 
We immediately displayed our colors on the highest branch 
of the tree, to attract attention, lest she should only be a 
passing stranger. 

The pirates soon after this discovered the ship (a signa. 
having been made with a gun by those anchored behind 
Pulo Chalacca,) which occasioned an evident stir among 
them. As the water was ebbing fast, it was thought pos¬ 
sible, by an unexpected rush out to the edge of the reef, 
to get some of them under fire, and secure them. They 
seemed, however, to have suspected our purpose, for the 
moment the seamen and marines appeared from under the 
mangroves, the nearest proa let fly her swivel among a 
party of the officers, who had been previously wading out¬ 
wards ; and the whole instantly getting under weigh, made 
sail off, fired at by our people; but unfortunately without 
effect; for, in addition to the dexterous management of 
their boats, the wind enabled them to weather the rocks. 
Two only, in tacking, struck upon a reef to windward of 
us, but got off again. It was pleasing to see the anxiety 
of the marines to keep their powder dry, by buckling their 
cartouch boxes on their breasts, and swivelling their mus¬ 
kets above that level, as they loaded and fired, whilst the 
seamen with their pikes, like water dogs, pushed out to 

























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SHIPWRECK 


OY 

THE BLENDENHALL, 

In the South Atlantic Ocean, with the Sufferings and 
Deliverance of the Ship's Company by Governor 
Glass, of the neighbouring Island of Tristan d' 
Ac unha. To which is added an Account of that 
Island; and the Journal of Augustus Earle, Esq., 
who ivas left on the Tristan d' AcurJm, and lived 
with Governor Glass for several Months . 


Lv 1820-1, the Blendenhall, free trader, bound for Bom- 
bay, partly laden with broadcloths, was prosecuting hei 
voyage; and being driven, by adverse winds and currents, 
more to the westward and southward than her course re¬ 
quired, it became desirable to make Tristan d’ Acunha, in 
order to ascertain and rectify the reckoning. It was while 
steering to effect this purpose, that one morning a passen¬ 
ger, who chanced to be on deck earlier than usual, ob¬ 
served great quantities of sea-weed occasionally floating 
alongside. This excited some alarm, and a man was im¬ 
mediately sen! aloft to keep a good look-out. The weather 
was then extremely hazy, though moderate; the weeds 
continued; all were on the alert; they shortened sail, and 
the boatswain piped for breakfast. In less than ten min¬ 
utes, “ Breakers ahead!” startled every soul, and in a mo¬ 
ment all were on deck. “ Breakers starboard! breakers 
iarboard! breakers all around!” was the ominous cry a 
moment afterwards, and all was confusion. The words 
were scarcely uttered, when, and before the helm was up, 
the ill-fated ship struck, and, after a few tremendous 
shocks against the sunken reef, she parted about midship. 

22 * 



258 SHIPWRECK OF THE BLENDENHALL. 

Ropes and stays were cut away—all rushed forward, as ii 
instinctively, and had barely reached the forecastle, when 
the stern and quarter broke asunder with a violent crash, 
and sunk to rise no more. Two of the seamen miserably 
perished—the rest, including officers, passengers, and 
crew, held on about the head and bows—the struggle was 
for life ! 

At this moment the Inaccessible Island, which till then 
had been veiled in clouds and thick mist, appeared frown¬ 
ing above the haze. The wreck was more than two miles 
from the frightful shore. The base of the island was still 
buried in impenetrable gloom. In this perilous extremity, 
one was for cutting away the anchor, which had been got 
up to the cat-head in time of need ; another was for cut¬ 
ting down the foremast (the foretopmast being already by 
the board.) The fog totally disappeared, and the black 
rocky island stood in all its rugged deformity before their 
eyes. Suddenly the sun broke out in full splendour, as if 
to expose more clearly to the view of the sufferers their 
dreadful predicament. Despair was in every bosom— 
death, arrayed in all its terrors, seemed to hover over the 
wreck. But exertion was required, and Providence in¬ 
spired unhoped for fortitude. Every thing that human 
energy could devise was effected ; and the wreck, on which 
all eagerly clung, was miraculously drifted by the tide and 
wind between ledges of sunken rocks and thundering 
breakers; until, after the lapse of six hours, it entered the 
only spot on the island where a landing was possibly prac¬ 
ticable ; for all the other parts of the coast consisted of per¬ 
pendicular cliffs of granite, rising from amidst deafening 
surf, to the height of twenty, forty, and sixty feet. As the 
shore was neared, a raft was prepared ; and on this a few 
paddled for the cove. At last the wreck drove right in : 
ropes were instantly thrown out; and the crew and pas¬ 
sengers (except two who had been crushed in the wreck,) 
including three ladies and a female attendant, were provi¬ 
dentially snatched from the watery grave, which a few 
short hours before had appeared inevitable—and safely 
landed on the beach. Evening had now set in, and every 
effort was made to secure whatever could be saved from 
the wreck. Bales of cloth, cases of wine, a few boxes oi 


STARVATION APPEARS INEVITABLE. 


259 


•*heesc% some hams, the carcass of the milk cow that haa 
been washed on shore, buckets, tubs, butts, a seaman’s 
chest, (containing a tinder-box and needles and thread,) 
with a number of elegant mahogany turned bed-posts, part 
of an investment for the India market, were got on shore. 
The rain poured down in torrents—all hands were busily 
at work to procure a shelter from the weather; and with 
the bed-posts and broadcloths, and part of the foresail, as 
many tents were soon pitched as there were individuals in 
the island. 

Drenched with the sea and with the rain, hungry, cold, 
and comfortless, thousands of miles from their native land, 
almost beyond expectation of human succor, hope nearly 
annihilated, the shipwrecked voyagers retired to their 
tents, some devoutly to prostrate themselves in humble 
thankfulness before that merciful Being who had so won¬ 
derfully delivered them from destruction, others to rest af¬ 
ter the dreadful fatigue by which they were exhausted, and 
some to drown their cares in wine. In the morning the 
wreck had gone to pieces; and planks, and spars, and 
whatever had floated in, were eagerly dragged on shore. 
No sooner was the unfortunate ship broken up, than, deem¬ 
ing themselves freed from the bonds of authority, many 
began to secure whatever came to land ; and the captain, 
officers, passengers, and crew, were now reduced to the 
same level, and obliged to take their turn to fetch water, 
and explore the island for food. The work of exploring 
was soon over—there was not a bird, nor a quadruped 
nor a single tree to be seen ! All was barren and desolate. 
The low parts were scattered over with stones and sand, 
and a few stunted weeds, reeds, ferns, and other plants 
The top of the mountain was found to consist of a frag¬ 
ment of original table-land, very marshy, and full of deep 
sloughs, intersected with small rills of water, pure and pel¬ 
lucid as crystal, and a profusion of wild parsley and celery. 
The prospect was one dreary scene of destitution, without 
a single ray of hope to relieve the misery of the desponding 
crew. After some days, the dead cow, hams, and cheese, 
were consumed; and from one end of the island to the 
other, not a morsel of food could be seen. Even the celery 
began to fail. A few bottles of wine, which, for security 


260 


SHIPWRECK OF THE BLENDENII ALL. 


had been secreted under ground, only remained. J7amino 
now began to threaten. Every stone near the sea was ex - 
amined for shell fish, but in vain. In this extremity, as 
the quarter-master’s wife was sitting at her tent door, with 
the child crying at her breast, faint and exhausted, a group 
of half starved seamen passed by ; when one of them turn¬ 
ing round, exclaimed, u By — that will malee a drop oj 
broth, if nothing else turns up!” The observation spoke 
daggers to the poor creature. On the return of night, as 
the poor hungry wretches were squatting in sullen dejection 
round their fires, on a sudden hundreds of birds from sea¬ 
ward came actually flying through the flames. Many fell 
dead, scorched or suffocated ; and thus were the sufferers 
again rescued for a time from the horrors which so immi¬ 
nently beset them. For several nights in succession, sim¬ 
ilar flocks came in ; and by multiplying their fires, a con¬ 
siderable supply was secured. 

These visits however ceased at length, and the wretched 
party were exposed again to the most severe privation. 
When their stock of wild fowl had been exhausted for more 
than two days, each began to fear they were now approach¬ 
ing that sad point of necessity, when between death and 
casting lots who should be sacrificed to serve for food for 
the rest, no alternative remains. While horror at the bare 
contemplation of an extremity so repulsive occupied the 
thoughts of all, the horizon was observed to be suddenly 
obscured, and presently clouds of penguins lighted on the 
island. The low grounds were actually covered ; and be¬ 
fore the evening was dark, the sand could not be seen for 
the numbers of eggs, which, like a sheet of snow, lay on 
the surface of the earth. The penguins continued on the 
island four or five days ; when, as if by signal, the whole 
took their flight, and were never seen again. A few were 
killed, but the flesh was so extremely rank and nauseous, 
that it could not be eaten. The eggs were collected, and 
dressed n all manner of ways, and supplied abundance of 
food for upwards of three weeks. At the expiration of that 
period famine once more seemed inevitable; the third 
morning began to dawn upon the unfortunate company 
after-their stock of eggs were exhausted; they had now 
been without food for more than forty hours, and were 


MIRACULOUS PRESERVATION 


261 


fainting and dejected—when, as though this desolate rock 
were really a land of miracles, a man came running up to 
the encampment, with the unexpected and joyful tidings, 
that “ millions of sea-cows had come on shore.” The crew 
climbed over the ledge of rocks that flanked their tents, 
and the sight of a shoal of manatees immediately beneath 
them gladdened their hearts. These came in with the 
flood, and were left in the puddles between the broken 
rocks of the cove. This supply continued for two or three 
weeks. The flesh was mere blubber, and quite unfit for 
food, for not a man could retain it on his stomach ; but the 
liver was excellent, and on this they subsisted. In the 
meantime, the carpenter with his gang had constructed a 
boat, and four of the men had adventured in her for Tristan 
d’ Acunha, in hopes of ultimately extricating their fellow 
sufferers from their perilous situation. Unfortunately the 
boat was lost—whether carried away by the violence of the 
currents that set in between the islands, or dashed to pieces 
against the breakers, was never known, for no vestige of 
the boat or the crew was ever seen. Before the manatees, 
however, began to quit the shore, a second boat was 
launched ; and in this an officer and some seamen made a 
second attempt: and happily succeeded in effecting a land¬ 
ing, after much labor, on the island of Governor Glass. He 
received them most cordially, and with humanity, which 
neither time, nor place, nor total seclusion from the world, 
had enfeebled or impaired. He instantly launched his 
boat, and, unawed bv considerations of personal danger, 
hastened, at the risk of his life, to deliver his shipwrecked 
countrymen from the calamities they had so long endured. 
He made repeated trips, surmounted all difficulties, ana 
fortunately succeeded in safely landing them on his own 
island, after they had been exposed for nearly three months 
to the horrors of a situation almost unparalleled in the re¬ 
corded sufferings of seafaring men. 

After being hospitably treated by Glass and his company 
for three months, the survivors obtained a passage to the 
Cape—all except a young sailor named White, who had 
formed an attachment to one of the servant girls on board • 
and, in all the miseries they had endured after that event 


26’2 SHIPWRECK OF THE BLENDENHALL, 

had been her constant protector and companion ; whilst 
gratitude on her part preventing her wishing to Jea\e him, 
both chose to remain here; and he and his Peggy made 
the second couple married on this island, and no two peo¬ 
ple can be happier. 

This island is called Tristan d’Achuna, after the Portu¬ 
guese admiral who first discovered the group. Nothing 
can be more wild and dismal than the aspect of these 
islands; and in stormy weather, which is common in the 
winter season, a tremendous sea roars and foams against 
the rocky shores. The names given to the three islands 
are—Tristan d’Achuna, Inaccessible, and Nightingale 
Island ; the two latter of which are so wild and rugged as 
to defy all approach. Tristan d’Achuna is about seven 
leagues in circumference, of a square shape, formed by 
hilly ridges, with deep valleys, and appears to hayp origin¬ 
ated from a volcanic eruption. The only level ground of 
consequence is on the north-east side, at the foot of a 
mountain eight hundred feet high. It is a slip of good 
land, gradually sloping down towards the sea, but it is cut 
suddenly from the beach by an abrupt precipice of about 
fifty feet; so that from every part is a fine commanding 
view of the ocean. This slip of land between the moun¬ 
tains and the beach is three quarters of a mile wide and six 
miles long. The soil is good, and produces any kind of 
vegetables, but is particularly good for the culture of pota¬ 
toes. Immense numbers of birds resort to this island for 
the purpose of incubation. Also sea-elephants cover the 
shores at particular seasons, together with seals in great 
numbers. Whales and other fish abound in great quanti¬ 
ties in the sea which surrounds it. In 1811, Jonathan 
Lambert, of Salem, Massachusetts, in company with two 
others, resided on this remote island, and supplied vessels 
that touched there with vegetables. In 1816, when Buon¬ 
aparte was sent to St. Helena, the British government 
deemed it expedient to garrison this island, and sent the 
Falmouth man-of-war with a colony of forty persons, which 
arrived in the month of August. They found two men, 
who informed them that Lambert perished in crossing to 
one of the u eighboring islands, but from the vague "and 


mr. earle’s narrative. 


263 


contradictory accounts they gave of his fate, Mere remained 
no doubt but they made away with him to get possession 
of all on the island. 

The garrison was soon given up, and all returned to the 
Cape of Good Hope except Governor Glass and his wife, 
who requested that they might stay. 

In the year 1824, Augustus Earle, Esq., a distinguished 
artist, and author of “ A Nine Months Residence in New 
Zealand,” was accidentally left on the island, and remained 
six months before a vessel stopped at the island, by which 
he could leave his solitary abode. We will give an account 
of this adventure in his own words. 

“ On the 17th of February I embarked at Rio de Janeiro, 
on board the sloop Duke of Gloucester, Captain Amm, mas¬ 
ter, bound for the Cape of Good Hope. On the 6th of 
March we sighted Tristan d’Achuna; but owing to the 
tempestuous state of the weather, we could not effect a 
landing for several days. At length we succeeded in get¬ 
ting ashore. Our captain finding the settlers had abun¬ 
dance of potatoes, agreed to purchase a few tons for the 
Cape market; and as I knew it would take a considerable 
time to get them on board, I determined to return in the 
boat with the men when they left our vessel. I did so, and 
took with me my dog, gun, boat-cloak, and sketch book, 
hoping to be able to add a few interesting drawings to my 
portfolio, as this was a spot hitherto unvisited by any artist. 

“ There is something really terrific in the appearance of 
this island as you approach the shore. The sea breaks 
with violence over rocks which are just rising above water, 
and the whole extent of beach is whitened with surf. It is 
unsafe for any other than whale boats to attempt landing 
here. On quitting the boat, I found a road, formed ot 
black lava, cut down the cliff, along which the islanders 
had brought their boat. Arriving at the village, which 
consists of half a dozen houses, covered with thatch made 
of this native grass, I found two women and a number ot 
children, who were all equally delighted to see a stianger 
amongst them. The houses, and all around them, had an 
air of comfort, cleanliness, and plenty, truly English. They 
immediately brought me a bowl of new milk; after which 
I sat down to dinner with these hospitable people, and they 


264 


earle’s narrative. 


showed every possible kindness and attention tome. In the 
afternoon the men were all busily employed getting off the 
cargo of potatoes. The next day it blowed hard from the 
north, and we had no communication with the sloop. On 
the third day, as the islanders were preparing to take me 
on board, the, sloop tacked and stood out to sea. I con¬ 
cluded she was only making a long stretch, and waited on 
the beach some hours ; but she stood quite off to sea, and 
I never beheld her more. 

“ I passed several days in the utmost anxiety respecting 
the vessel, for the wind was blowing tremendously. The 
surf along the beach exceeded every thing I ever before 
witnessed,, or could have imagined ; and the noise was al¬ 
most deafening. The rocks and the beach being composed 
of black lava, opposed to the snowy whiteness of the foam, 
produced a supernatural effect, and was, from the contrast 
of color, particularly grand, especially as we were then on 
the weather side of the island. 

“ After anxiously watching several days for the sloop, I 
gave up all hopes of her returning to the island. The chief 
person of our little community, commonly called the gov¬ 
ernor, is Mr. Glass, a Scotchman, a ci-devant corporal of the 
artillery drivers ; and he certainly behaves to me with 
every possible kindness. Nothing within his power is 
spared to make me comfortable. Of the fair ladies of our 
colony, Mrs. Glass is a Cape creole, and Mrs. White a half¬ 
cast Portuguese from Bombay. Their time is so fully oc¬ 
cupied, that I seldom see either of them ; being constantly 
in the cook-house, which is sepaiated from our dwelling. 
Children there are in abundance, all healthful and robust, 
and just one year older than another. When Glass first 
came here, the two men were here who lived with Lambert, 
and were supposed to have made away with him to get his 
money. One immediately left the island. The other, 
named Thomas, who informed Glass that he had plenty of 
money buried there, and that he would some day show the 
place where his hoard lay, to that man in the garrison who 
pleased him most; thus insuring constant good treatmen* 
from the men, each hoping to be his favoured; but one 
day, after drinking immoderately of liquor, he was taken 
suddenly ill, and expired before he could explain to hia 


Governor Glass —and his residence. 
























































































































































































































































































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. 






V 












































































A SUBLIME SPEC'IACLE 


267 


companions where his treasure was concealed, thougn evi¬ 
dently anxious so to do. A universal search commenced 
after his death; but neither money nor papers have ever 
been found ; and even I, when not better occupied, used 
to examine every cranny and hole in the rocks about the 
houses, in hopes of finding old Thomas’ treasure ; for Glass 
said it must be near the houses, as he used to be away but 
a very short time when he visited his hoard for money. I 
once thought I had really made the discovery; for in a 
cleft of the rock, in a very remote corner, I found an old 
kettle stuffed with rags; but, unfortunately, with no other 
treasure. Glass well remembered the kettle belonging to 
Thomas, by the remarkable circumstance of its having a 
wooden bottom . 

“ A little to the eastward of the settlement is Falmouth 
Bay, a dangerous rocky inlet, which proved fatal to the 
British ship Julia. Parts of the wreck are still strewn upon 
the shore. Amongst the thick grass beyond the beach, a 
high pole has been erected, marking the spot where the 
remains of the unhappy sufferers were* interred. The 
wreck has been of great service to the inhabitants ; for 
their houses and fences were principally composed of it. 

“ The cows, oxen, sheep, poultry, all thrive here; but 
the cows, owing to their eating so much kelp or sea-weed, 
have a very fishy, unpleasant taste. Fish is most abundant 
on this coast, and of various kinds. May 1st, the day be¬ 
ing remarkably fine, I walked out to one of the beaches, 
and saw numbers of sea-elephants sleeping on the beach. 
They were all large, fat, and unwieldy. 

“ One day when the wind blew fresh from the eastward, 
Glass and I went to the east end of the island to burn the 
underwood and grass, in order to make pasturage for the 
cattle. This grass grows astonishingly fast, and if not 
burned occasionally, would soon cover every thing. It is 
from eight to ten feet high, and so thick, that it is almost 
impossible to get through it. We set fire to it in several 
places, and the wind catching the flame, it spread with 
dreadful rapidity, running up the side of the mountain with 
a roar like that produced by volleys of musquetry ; and ii 
was accompanied with so much flame and smoke, as tu 
make the sp>ctacle truly sublime 


268 


earle’s narrative. 


On the 25th of May we went up the mountain tn a goa 
hunt, of which there are thousands on the plains. A good 
dog went with us, for the purpose of running them down. 
We soon surprised a flock, which made (as tiiey invariably 
do) for the peak ; but our dog soon separated one, which 
we caught, killed, and left on the plain, while the dog ran 
after others. A very large black he goat was selected, 
which gave him battle, and defended himself courageously 
for some time. . At length we killed him, and added his 
body to our other prize. When we got them to the edge 
of the precipice, we took out. their insides, and stuffed them 
with fern, then tumbled them down, and they reached the 
bottom without much difficulty. After spending a most 
fatiguing and exciting day, we got safely down at night, 
the men well pleased with their sport, and I with the num¬ 
ber of my sketches. 

“ They informed me, that the very last time they had 
ascended the mountain, on their return, one of the party 
got too close to the precipice, without being aware of it, 
and fell down several hundred feet. They found the corpse 
the next day, in a miserably mangled state. They interred 
it in the garden, near their settlement; and placed at the 
head of the grave a board, with his name and age, together 
with an account of the accident which caused his death ; 
and the pious remark to the reader, that it happened on a 
Sunday —a dreadful warning to Sabbath-breakers. The 
people all say, they never more will ascend the mountain 
on that sacred day. Indeed, from all I have seen of them, 
they pay every respect to the duties of religion which lies 
in their power. My clothes beginning to wear out, my 
kind host, who was an excellent tailor,"made me a pair ot 
trowsers, consisting of sail-cloth, and the back of dried 
goat’s skin, the hair outside; which they all assured me 
would be very convenient in sliding down the mountains. 
I laughed heartily when I first sported this Robinson Crusoe 
habiliment. ‘Never mind how you look, sir,’ said my 
kind host; ‘ his Majesty himself, (God bless him !) if he 
had been left here, as you were, could do no better.’ As 
two of us were one day on an excursion to the hills, to have 
n hunt after the goats, when we were about halfway over 
the plain, we discovered some fresh hog’s dung, an evident 


The ship Juno taking in sail. p. 268. 



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A SHIP APPEARS. 


271 


proof that one of these wild animals was in the neighbor¬ 
hood. These creatures being rather more formidable than 
tiie game we were in pursuit of, we had to be more circum¬ 
spect and cautious in our approaches. I put a new flint 
into my gun, and took charge of it myself,—White, who 
had hitherto carried it for me, not understanding the use of 
fire-arms. Our dog soon took the scent, and followed to 
its den ; which we were made aware of by his furious bark¬ 
ing. The place to which our dog led us was full of high 
grass, higher than either of our heads, and we heard the 
monster rustling it violently about, and charging the dog * 
but not being able to see where our enemy was, we were 
both much intimidated ; for myself, I confess I was greatly 
alarmed. I heard this creature champing its tusks close 
to me, and yet it was entirely concealed. I climbed up a 
little eminence, and obtained a sight of the animal’s back, 
or rather of its bristles, as they were erected, while keep¬ 
ing our dog at bay. I took a steady and deliberate aim, 
fired, and down the animal fell. It proved to be a wild 
boar of enormous dimensions ; one that the settlers had of¬ 
ten hunted, but which had hitherto escaped. We had 
some difficulty in. getting the carcass home, and had to re¬ 
turn for assistance, as it required two of our strongest men 
to carry it, it weighing between three and four hundred 
w r eight. 

“ November 29th.—This morning, at eight o’clock, ob¬ 
served a ship to leeward of the island, working up towards 
our settlement. All hands were instantly employed get 
ting the boat ready to launch—for they never tired of their 
exertions in my behalf, and all took the greatest interest in 
my safe return to my country. After the vessel had made 
two tacks to windward, we launched, and had a narrow 
escape through the surf; but we succeeded in boarding 
her about ten o’clock. 

“ The reader will imagine, better than I can describe, 
what were my sensations of joy and gratitude, on finding 
myself once more actually on board an English vessel, sur¬ 
rounded by my countrymen. She was bound to Van Die- 
man’s land. I was received in the kindest manner ; my 
wants were provided for. I now took leave of Governor 
Glass and his kind-hearted comrades; and after a prosper- 
ov 9 voyage, w r e reached Van Dieman’s Land in safety/’ 


NARRATIVE 


OF THE 

DISASTERS WHICH BEFEL 


SHIP JUNO, 

IN THE INDIAN OCEAN. 

With an Affecting Account of the Sufferings and sub¬ 
sequent Shipicreck of the Crew on the coast of 
Aracan , in June , 1795. - 


For certain reasons which need not be narrated here, I 
quitted, at Rangoon, a vessel to which I formerly belong¬ 
ed, and entered as second mate of the Juno, Captain 
Alexander Bremner, then lying at that place, and taking 
in a cargo of teak-wood for Madras. The Juno was of 
450 tons burthen, very much out of repair, and in all res¬ 
pects a ship badly provided for sea. Her crew consisted 
of fifty-three men, chiefly Lascars, or native seamen, with 
a few Europeans. We had also on board the captain’s 
wife, her maid, who was a native young woman, and some 
Malays to assist in working the ship, being seventy two 
souls in all. 

On the twenty-ninth of May, 1795, we sailed, beating 
out with the young ebb, in from five to seven fathoms of 
water, with soft mud. About six P.‘ M. it shoaled sud¬ 
denly to a quarter less four fathoms. The ship was 
immediately ordered about, but scarce was the helm a-lee 
when she struck on a hard sand-bank. All was hove back 
in order to get her off, but without effect. Both her 
bower anchors were let go in order to keep her from 
driving farther on, and they held her some time, till one 
of the cables parting, she dragged the other anchor; where¬ 
fore we let go the sheet-anchor, which brought us up. It 
was the last quarter ebb, and we had no doubt of getting 



DKKAOKIL GALE. 


273 


K ie ship off on the flood, provided we could keep her 
from upsetting at low water. We therefore struck the 
top-gallant-yards and masts to relieve her of top weight 
as much as possible. At low water she keeled to an 
alarming degree, but floated off with the flood. We hove 
up our anchors and stood oft' under a press of sail into deep 
soundings; and as she did not make any water, we hoped 
ahe had not received any material damage. 

On the first of June, a gale commenced at south-south¬ 
west, with a very high sea, the ship balanced much, and 
soon sprung a leak. During six days that the gale lasted, 
it required the utmost exertions of all hands, without dis¬ 
tinction, to keep her free, the pump gear getting out ol 
order frequently by constant hard working. Unfortunately 
we had no carpenter on board, and hardly any carpenter’s 
tools ; but we made shift with what few we had to repair 
the pumps as often as it became necessary. However, 
we were often foiled by the sand ballast choaking them, 
which obliged us to hoist them out and clear them, after 
having tried many unsuccessful expedients to prevent their 
sucking up the sand. 

Many consultations were neld about returning to Ran¬ 
goon ; but the dangers attending an approach to that coast, 
particularly a lee shore, so low as not to be seen above 
ten or twelve miles oft', and only seven fathoms of water 
at that distance, rendered us unanimous, that so long as 
any hope could be entertained of saving the vessel, we 
should endeavor to keep her clear of the coast of Pequ. 

On the sixth, the gale abated, the ship made less water 
and required but one pump constantly going. * We then 
discovered a leak across the stern post between wind and 
water ; and the first calm day got out the jolly boat, and 
nailed some tarred canvass and oakum above it, with sheet 
lead over all. This expedient so far succeeded, that while 
good weather continued, the ship required pumping but 
once every watch, which led us to imagine that we had 
stopped the leak. Thus we congratulated each other on 
our supposed deliverance, and proceeded cheerfully on 
the voyage. 

But our congratulations were premature. Happy had 
it been for us if we had embraced the opportunity of re- 


274 


SHIPWRECK OE THE JUNO. 


turning to Rangoon to have had the leak properly secuien, 
and the ship prepared for encountering the dangers tha 
were reasonably to be expected in the Bay of Bengal, 
during the middle of the south-west monsoon. Surely we 
must all have been infatuated to suppose that a piece of 
canvass, though it might exclude the water in moderate 
weather, could secure such a leak as ours, when the ship 
should come to labor. 

The repairs of the pump gear were hardly finished, 
when, on the twelfth of June, a severe gale commenced at 
the west-south-west. From the beginning of it the ship 
made more water than she had done before, and we expe¬ 
rienced the same distressing consequences, the choaking 
of the pumps, and destruction of the pump gear. We 
labored with three pumps incessantly, and also bailed with 
a bucket; and such of us as could handle carpenter’s tools, 
worked with them and pumped alternately. 

Almost exhausted from fatigue and want of rest, we 
began, on the sixteenth, to entertain serious apprehensions 
for our safety. We therefore determined to set all the 
sail the ship could carry, and bear her away, so as to fetch 
the nearest part of the coast of Coromandel; proposing 
afterwards to coast it along to Madras, or bear up for 
Bengal, as our condition should admit. We accordingly 
set close-reefed topsails and coursers, and bore up. But 
the pumps required such incessant labor, that it was not 
in our power to pay the necessary attention to the sails ; 
therefore, before the eighteenth, they were all blown away 
from the yards except the foresail. With this we lay to, 
until the twentieth at noon, being in latitude 17° 10' north, 
and by reckoning, about 9 ' west of Cape Negrais. 

The ship now pitched so deep and heavy, that we some¬ 
times despaired of her ever rising again, and our people 
were so much alarmed, that it was with difficulty we could 
keep them to their stations. About noon we wore, hauled 
up the foresail, and kept the wind under bare poles ; at 
the same time uniting in a general effort at the pumps and 
buckets, in hopes to clear the ship, but in vain. 

The men who were below coming up at eight, with a 
report that the water reached the lower deck, the Lascars 
ga*e themselves up to despair, nor did a ray of hope 


CUTTING AWAY THE MAINMAST. 


275 


present itself even to us Europeans. An idea generally 
prevailing that the ship must go to the bottom, owing to 
the quantity of sand-ballast under the timbers ; the people 
were clamorous for getting out the boats, which we knew 
could be of no service, as we had only an old jolly-boat 
and a six-oared pinnace, both shattered and leaky. 

It was now thought advisable to cut away the main¬ 
mast to lighten the ship, and, if possible, to keep her from 
sinking till morning. About nine o’clock this was effect¬ 
ed ; but unfortunately the wreck of the mast falling within 
board, the man at the helm, from the confusion it occa¬ 
sioned, let the ship broach to, and the sea made a fair 
passage over all. At this critical moment, Mrs. Bremner, 
who had been in bed below, found means to get up the 
hatchway. Mr. Wade, chief mate, and myself helped her 
to the quarter-deck rail, and were making her fast in the 
mizen rigging, when the ship came to her utmost bearings, 
and instantly settled down. From the sudden jerk she 
gave, we thought she was going to the bottom ; but she 
went no farther than just bringing her upper deck under 
water. All hands scrambled up the rigging to escape 
instant destruction, moving gradually upwards as each 
succeeding wave buried the ship still deeper. 

Captain Bremner, his wife, Mr. Wade and myself, with 
a few others, then got into the mizen-top; all the rest 
clung about the mizen rigging, except one man, who hap¬ 
pening to be forward at the time, gained the foretop. 
Mrs. Bremner complained much of cold, having no cover¬ 
ing but a shift and straw petticoat; and as I happened to 
be better clothed than her husband, I pulled oft’ my 
jacket and gave it to her. 

Finding, contrary to our first apprehensions, that the 
ship was not likely to go to the bottom, we cut the yards 
from the mizen-mast with our knives, lest the additional 
weight of so many persons should carry it away. Though 
the ship rolled so violently that it was with difficulty that 
we could hold ourselves fast, some through excessive 
fatigue, went to sleep before day. But, for my part, 1 
could not sufficiently compose myself. At first there did 
not appear to be the smallest ground for hope ; yet after 
two or three hours’ reflection, it occurred to me that some 


276 


•11 IP WRECK OF THE JUNO. 


vessel might heave in sight in the morning. While my 
fate feemed inevitable, I felt perfectly resigned to it; but 
from the moment I indulged a hope of being saved, 1 
could not endure the idea of an untimely death, and lis¬ 
tened the remainder of the night in anxious expectation oi 
hearing a gun; several times imagining that I actually 
did so; and whenever I mentioned this to my companions 
each fancied he heard the same report. 

At dawn of day, one of the men called out a sail. This 
was answered by the Mussulmans, with a pious ejacula¬ 
tion to their prophet, which, reminding us of what we owed 
to God, we endeavored to offer up our humble thanks foi 
the deliverance which we now thought certain. 

But his sight deceived him as cruelly as my hearing haa 
deceived me through the night. Perhaps during the whole 
of our subsequent trials, we did not experience more ex¬ 
quisite pain than this disappointment gave us. My hear! 
died within me ; I regretted having indulged hopes, which 
thus proved altogether delusive ; and my spirits were so 
disquieted, that I could not retain that tranquillity of mind 
which at first supported me.- 

The prospect presented to our view, on the return ol 
day, was awful beyond description—a tremendous gale ol 
wind ; the sea running mountains high ; the upper decl 
and the upper parts of the hull going to pieces, and th.o 
rigging that supported the mast, to which seventy-two 
unfortunate wretches clung, giving away, every moment 
threatened to close the scene. The shrieks of the women 
and Lascars added to the general horror. Some volunta¬ 
rily yielded to their fate at once; while others, unable to 
keep their hold, were washed out of the rigging. But the 
greater part were reserved for trials yet more dreadful. 

The gale continued unabated for three days ; the return 
of each day aggravating the misery of our situation. Wo 
saw that we might remain on the wreck till carried off 
by famine, the most frightful shape that death could appear 
to us. I confess it was my intention, as well as that of 
the rest, to prolong my existence by the only means that 
seemed likely to occur, eating the flesh of any whose life 
might terminate before my own. 

But this idea we did not communicate, or even hint to 


EXTREME SUFFERINGS. 


277 


each oilier, until long afterwards, except once, that the 
gunner, a Roman Catholic, asked me if I thought there 
would be a sin in having recourse to such an expedient. 

From want of room in the mizen-top some men quitted 
it, intending to swim forward to the fore-top, and three or 
four lost their lives in the attempt. My agitation was, 
after some time, succeeded by a kind of callous, or 
lather sullen indifference. I tried to doze away the hours, 
and wished, above all, for a state of insensibility. The 
useless lamentations of my fellow sufferers provoked me ; 
and, instead of sympathising, I was angry at being dis¬ 
turbed by them. During the first three days I did not 
suffer much for the want of food, the weather being cool 
and cloudy; but on the fourth the wind abated, the clouds 
dispersed, and 1'cft us to the scorching heat of a vertical 
sun, which soon roused me to the keenest sense of my 
situation. Hitherto the apprehension of what might be to 
come proved more intolerable than any thing I actually 
experienced. Though my sensations, particularly of thirst, 
were exquisitely painful, they were not so violent as what 
I had read of in similar cases. But I began to feel in 
reality what I had already tortured myself with in imagi¬ 
nation, and l dreaded that 1 was approaching to the poirn. 
I had figured to myself, which the cries of those amongst 
us most given to complaining led me to suppose they had 
actually reached. 

1 recollected, however, having read in Captain Ingle- 
field’s narrative, that his boat’s crew had received great 
benefit from lying down by turns in a blanket, which had 
previously been dipped in the sea, the pores of the skin 
absorbing the water and leaving the salt on the surface. 
This practice I adopted as far as 1 could, by dipping a 
flannel waistcoat which 1 wore next my skin, from time 
to time into the sea. Many of my companions, who fol¬ 
lowed my example, agreed that it refreshed them, and I 
am convinced, that, by the blessing of God, it was the 
nwnns of saving my life. It was further useful, by occu- 
p)mg the mind and preventing despondency. I always 
found a secret satisfaction in every exertion for the preser¬ 
vation of my hie. 

The night of the fourth day I had a most refreshing 
24 


278 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


sleep in which my mind dwelt on former scenes, particu 
.arly on my father and all those that were nearest my 
heart. I dreamed that I was in a raging fever, and that 
my father was praying by my bed-side; that, while he 
continued praying, the fever went off, but that it returned 
whenever he ceased. I thought he administered the sacra¬ 
ment to me, and when just about to put the cup to my 
lips, I awoke. The inference I drew from my dream was, 
that he had departed this life, and was in heaven a witness 
of my sufferings. Some of the circumstances brought to 
my recollection the misery of an uncle’s family while his 
son was missing; and the idea of what all my relatives 
would suffer on my account greatly disturbed me. But I 
called to remembrance the good lessons which I had 
received from my father in former days, and found they 
had a wonderful effect in calming my spirits and fortifying 
my mind. I endeavored to make my peace with God, 
and was reconciled to die. 

On the 25th of June, being the fifth day of the ship’s 
going down, the first two persons died of want, which 
greatly affected the survivors. The one went oft' sud¬ 
denly ; the other languished some hours in great agony, 
having at first been seized with violent retchings, which 
brought on strong convulsions, and I afterwards remark¬ 
ed that these symptoms were sure presages of an ap¬ 
proaching painful death. 

This day was very hot, and the sea smooth. The cap¬ 
tain and chief mate having always expressed great confi¬ 
dence in rafts, some hands were employed in constructing 
one from the fore-yard, and some other small spars which 
were still towed to the wreck. Next day about noon, the 
raft being finished, the people began to get upon it ; and 
the captain, observing the general movement, hurried 
down from the mizen-top with Mrs Bremner and Mr. 
Wade. Though I did not approve of the plan, yielding 
to the impulse of the moment, I followed their example. 
But the raft being insufficient to support us all, a contest 
arose ; the strongest forced off* the weakest, and obliged 
them to return to the wreck. 

Just as they were about to cut the rope which made 
thiim fast, I asked captain Bremner in what direction ho 


CAPT. BREMNER BECOMES DELIRIOUS 


279 


supposed the land lay, and what probability there was of 
our making it. Receiving no answer, I endeavored to 
persuade him to return to the wreck ; but finding I could 
make no impression on him, nor on any of the rest, I was 
content to remain with them, and we paddled away before 
the wind with pieces of plank, which the people had pre¬ 
viously shaped with their knives into the form of paddles. 

We had not got far when we found our number still loo 
great for the raft. I seized the opportunity of renewing 
my remonstrances, which had the desired effect on Mr. 
Wade, who agreed to return with me to the mast-head; 
and the rest of the party, willing to lighten the raft, readily 
assisted us in regaining our former station. They again 
departed and were out of sight by sunset. 

I must confess, it sometimes occurred to me how easy 
it was to put an end to my sufferings ; and while the raft 
was constructing, I felt an inclination to get upon it, from 
an idea that it would be impossible to live twenty-four 
hours in that situation. But it pleased God to fortify my 
mind against such desponding thoughts, and to endow me 
with a degree of patience and resignation, which I once 
thought it impossible for any man to possess under such 
protracted sufferings. I therefore resolved to remain on 
the wreck, and there to await the will of Providence. 

On the morning of the 27th, we were surprised to see 
the raft along side of us, on the opposite quarter from that 
where it had set out. Those upon it having paddled all 
night, till their strength was exhausted, without knowing 
in what direction, drifted at random ; and at day light 
finding themselves close to us, quitted the raft and joined 
us at the mast-heads. 

Captain Bremner soon after became delirious, which so 
much alarmed his wife as to throw her into convulsions. 
He was a strong healthy man, rather past middle age; 
she a delicate young woman, and they had not been mar¬ 
ried above eleven months. 

In the first stages of our distress, the sight of his wife 
seemed to give him pain, as if it reproached him with 
having brought her into her present danger; but he now 
scarcely permitt 3 d her to quit his arms; and sometimes 
obliged us to use force to rescue her from his embraces. 


280 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


In this frenz)-, ne thought he saw a table covered with al 
sorts of choice meat; and wildly demanded why we did 
not give him of this or that dish? his raving generally 
turned on eating and drinking; often on his wife, and 
sometimes on other subjects. 

Dreading the bad consequences of drinking salt water, 
I refrained from it as long as possible; until unable to 
endure the parching heat of my stomach and bowels, I 
went down to indulge myself with a draught, and drank 
perhaps near two quarts. To my great astonishment, 
instead of injuring, it revived both my strength and spirits ; 
but still considering it certain poison, I every moment 
expected my last agonies to begin. In this too I was 
mistaken; I got a sound sleep, and my inward heat aba¬ 
ted. I felt stronger, and though it relaxed and griped 
me greatly, the inconvenience were trivial when com¬ 
pared with the benefit that always resulted. 

The morning of the 28th, Mr. Wade declared that he 
could bear his situation no longer, and would moreover 
go on the raft if I would accompany him ; I rejected 
his proposal, and tried without effect to dissuade him 
from it. Death, he said, was preferable to his present 
existence, and nothing could change his resolution. He 
prevailed on two Seconnies, two Malays, and three or 
four Lascars to join him; and in a few hours we lost sight 
of them. In the evening there came on a squall, which 
in all probability proved fatal to them, though to us it 
brought the most seasonable relief, as it was accompanied 
with a heavy rain. This we had no means of catching 
but by spreading out our clothes, most part of which had 
been so drenched by the salt water, that at first they 
tainted the fresh. But the rain was so heavy it soon 
washed out the salt; and we afterwards reserved one part 
of our clothes for catching the fresh water, and another 
for dipping in the sea, as occasion might require. 

After this we were seldom forty-eight hours without a 
shower; and in the intervals, when we had not strength 
left to go down ourselves, it was our constant practice to 
lower a jacket or piece of cloth into the sea, by means of 
a rope yarn, and apply it thus moistened to our bodies. 
Whenever anv shower afforded us a few mouthfuls of 


many die in delirium. 


281 


fresh water, either by catching the drops as they fell or 
jy squeezing them out of our clothes, it infused new life 
and vigor into us, and for a while we had almost forgot 
our misery. Another expedient we had frequent recourse 
to, on finding it supplied our mouths with temporary mois¬ 
ture, which was chewing any substance we could find; 
generally a list of canvass, or even lead, when we could 
get it. This last will appear wonderful as I have been 
since told it is considered as poison when taken into the 
stomach. But I assert the fact, having myself chewed it 
for hours together, until almost reduced to a powder, and 
sometimes swallowed it. That I do not mention leather, 
will excite surprise; but none of us wore shoes at the 
time the ship went down. The Lascars never use any; 
and when it rained we always put oft' ours, as leather 
dressed in India is rendered useless by being wet. Some 
who tried bits of leather that were about the rigging, found 
the smell and taste too offensive to be endured. 

After all that I suffered, I believe it fell short of the 
idea I had formed of what would probably be the natural 
consequence of such a situation as that to which we were 
reduced. I had read or heard that no person could live 
without food beyond a few days; and when several had 
elapsed, I was astonished at my having existed so long, 
and concluded that every succeeding day must be the 
last. I expected as the agonies of death approached, that 
we should be tearing the flesh from each others’ bones. 
This apprehension filled me with horror ; and perhaps the 
dread of the future helped to reconcile me to the present. 
Many of my companions expired delirious. The fear of a 
similar fate excited in me the most dreadful anticipations; 
and it was my fervent prayer to the Almighty, that he 
would be pleased to spare my reason in my last moments. 

I often wished it might be his will to release me from my 
sufferings, but when the moment, as I supposed, drew 
near, nature shrunk from dissolution ; I dreaded surviving 
my companions, and thus be the last victim ; yet I did 
uot wish to be the next. 

One of the Lascars, whose body broke out in ulcers of 
a very disgusting appearance, died under the cat-harpings 
just under the mizen-top. Ilis next neighbor tried to 
24 * 


282 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


throw the body in the sea; but it had got so jammed in 
among the ropes that he could not disengage it, and it 
remained there a day or two longer, until so noisome as 
to be intolerable. Many such occurrences could be rela¬ 
ted ; but I must pass them over in silence, as the bare 
recollection of them, even at this distance of time, is too 
powerful for my feelings. 

On the morning of the first of July, the eleventh day, 
Mrs. Bremner found her husband dead in her arms. Our 
strength was then so much reduced, that it was with diffi¬ 
culty we threw his body overboard, after stripping off part 
of his clothes for the use of his wife. In the course of this 
day, two died in the mizen, and two more in the fore-top, 
with which we had of late little or no communication, 
being no longer able to come down the rigging, or speak 
loud enough to be heard at that distance. Several of the 
Lascars went forward after the gale abated, and our num¬ 
ber was so much diminished, that the two tops held us 
all. I can give very little account of the rest of the time ; 
the sensation of hunger was lost in that of weakness; and 
when I could get a supply of fresh water, I was compara¬ 
tively easy. Hitherto we had found the nights chilly; 
and as our strength decreased, so did our ability to endure 
the cold. The heavy rains by which we were drenched, 
though, in other respects beneficial, rendered it more 
severe, insomuch, that after sunset our limbs were quite 
benumbed, our teeth chattered, and we sometimes dreaded 
that we should die of extreme cold under a vertical sun. 

As the heat increased, it diffused its influence through¬ 
out our whole frame; we exposed first one side, then the 
other, until our limbs became pliant, and as our spirits 
revived, we indulged ourselves in conversation, which 
sometimes became cheerful. But as the meridian heat 
approached, the scorching rays renewed our torment; and 
we wondered how we could have wished the rain to cease. 
Of those who were not in my immediate vicinity, I knew 
little, unless by their cries. Some struggled hard, and 
died in great agony ; but it was not always those whose 
strength was most impaired that died the easiest, though, 
in some cases, it might be so. I particularly remember 
the following instances: Mr. Wade’s boy, a stout healthy 


A MOST AFFECTING SCENE. 


283 


ad. died early, and almost without a groan; while another, 
of the same age, but of a less promising appearance, held 
out mucn longer. The fate of these unfortunate boys dif¬ 
fered also in another respect highly deserving of notice. 
Their fathers were both in the fore-top when the boys 
were taken ill. The father of Mr. Wade’s hearing of his 
son’s illness, answered with indifference, “ that he could 
do nothing for him,” and left him to his fate. The other, 
when the accounts reached him, hurried down, and watch¬ 
ing a favorable moment, crawled on all fours along the 
weather gun-wale to his son, who was in the mizen rig¬ 
ging. By that time only three or four planks of the 
quarter-deck remained just over the quarter-galley, and 
to this spot the unhappy man led his son, making him 
fast to the rail to prevent his being washed away. When¬ 
ever the boy was seized with a fit of retching, the father 
lifted him up, and wiped away the foam from his lips ; and 
if a shower came, he made him open his mouth to receive 
the drops, or gently squeezed them into it from a rag: In 
this affecting situation both remained four or five days, 
till the boy expired. The unfortunate parent, as if unwil¬ 
ling to believe the fact, raised the body, looked wistfully 
at it, and, w hen he could no longer entertain any doubt, 
watched it in sibree until it was carried oft' by the sea; 
then wrapping himself in a piece of canvass, sunk down, 
and rose no more; though he must have lived two days 
longer, as we judged from the quivering of his limbs when 
a wave broke over him. 

This scene made an impression even on us whose feel¬ 
ings were, in a manner, dead to the w r orld, and almost to 
ourselves, and to whom the sight of misery was now 
become habitual. 

On the evening of the tenth of July, and, as nearly as 
we could calculate, the twentieth day since the ship went 
down, one of the people said he saw something like land 
in the horizon to the eastward. His assertion was heard 
without an emotion, no one making any immediate effort 
to ascertain the truth. Although it produced no visible 
effect, it seemed to occasion some inward sensation ; for 
u few minutes afterwards, on raising my head to observe 
the appearance the other had remarked, I found every 


284 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


eye turned towards it. We all continued looking tho 
same way, though not very earnestly, till the dark shades 
of evening by degrees interrupted our view; each then 
making his own observations, the whole of us agreed that 
it was land. Mrs. Bremner and others asked my opinion 
if I thought there was yet a possibility of an escape. I 
answered that it did not appear to me to be land; but if 
it were, there was one comfort, that it would soon most 
likely put an end to our sufferings, as the ship would cer¬ 
tainly ground a long way off* shore, and be beat to pieces 
in a few hours. This had always been my opinion, so 
that I dreaded seeing land; but at the present moment 
I was indifferent to every thing, and incapable of any 
acute sensation. 

I remembered that on awaking at day-break next morn¬ 
ing, I did not think of looking whether there was land or 
not, till one of the people in the fore-top waved a hand 
kerchief by way of signal that it was so. I then felt an 
inclination to get up and look, but happening to be in an 
easy position, with my arms folded so as to press against 
my stomach, I was too indifferent to turn myself around. 
My neighbors were more affected ; some one got up, and 
declared it was land, which roused another, and by de¬ 
grees all of us. It appeared to me very like land, but 
still I was neither sure, nor much interested about it. 
Mrs. Bremner having asked me, if I thought it was the 
coast of Coromandel ? this seemed to me such a ridicu¬ 
lous question, that I answered, if it was, she and I should 
go to the long room at Madras, and there be exhibited as 
curiosities under the pictures of Cornwallis and Meadows, 
at so much a head. 

However, in the course of the day, it was so plain, there 
could no longer be any doubt; and anxiety then became 
general. I entertained some hopes of being saved, though 
abated by the apprehension of the ship’s grounding far 
from shore; and could not help thinking, after having 
survived such extraordinary sufferings on the middle of 
the ocean, that it would be a cruel aggravation of tho 
severity of our fate, thus to perish in sight of land. In 
the evening we were so near, as to perceive, with inex¬ 
pressible anguish, that i was a wild jungle, without any 


T1IE SHIP STRIKES. 


285 


appearance of inhabitants. I expected the ship would 
strike every moment, and lay down, persuaded I should 
never see another day. I slept notwithstanding, and was 
awakened before daylight, by the ship beating on a rock, 
so violently as to shake the mast at every blow. 

I had foreseen this event, and was prepared to meet any 
fate. At day-break the motion was so violent, that we 
could not hold ourselves fast. The tide then having fal- 
.en several feet, the remaining beams of the upper deck 
were out of water. We therefore made an effort to get 
down to them, which we accomplished with some diffi¬ 
culty. The gunner and I endeavored to assist Mrs. Brem 
ner, and brought her to the cat-harpings, but she was too 
weak'to help herself, and we had not strength to carry 
her, so we were obliged to leave her there, and with great 
difficulty got upon the beams. The tide by this time had 
left the ship so far, that she no longer moved, and the gun 
deck was almost dry. The Lascars came out of the fore¬ 
top, and were searching among the rubbish for money, 
when I proposed to two of them, who seemed stronger 
than the rest, to bring Mrs. Bremner down from the cat- 
harpings. But this they refused to do, unless she gave 
them a part of the money which they understood she had 
about her. When the ship went down, she had fortu¬ 
nately put about thirty rupees in her pocket; and her 
anxiety to preserve them was often the subject of raillery 
among us, who little suspected how much these few 
rupees were to be instrumental in saving our lives. At 
last they agreed to fetch her down to the gun-deck for 
eight rupees, and the service was no sooner performed, 
than they insisted on being paid on the spot. This was 
the only instance they shewed the want of subordination 
or fellow-feeling for their companions in distress ; for their 
conduct, except in this case, had been highly exemplary, 
and particularly in the delicacy ‘hey uniformly shewed 
towards our unhappy females. 

After resting ourselves sometime on the gun deck, we 
observed that the rudder-head had been knocked off, and 
that through the hole in which the head had been, there 
was a passage to the gun room. As soon as the tide had 
.eft the orlop-deck, we got into the gun-room to see if 


286 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


any thing remained, that coultl be of any use to us, bin 
the sea had washed away every article, except three or 
four cocoa nuts, which, after a good deal of search, we 
found jammed under the timber. It might naturally be 
supposed that these were kept by the persons who had 
the good fortune to discover them ; but it was not so; 
the very first that was found was shared among many, 
the finder only claiming the water of the nut as his exclu 
sive property. In this he was disappointed, the liquor 
was turned by age into a few drops of oil, extremely un 
palatable, and by no means calculated to allay the thirst. 
The solid part, too, had no nourishment in it, and we 
found ourselves rather the worse for having it at all. That 
a person under such circumstances should not have first 
considered himself before he helped his neighbor, may 
seem improbable, as may also other incidents here related 
I will, however, state facts, without pretending to account 
for them. Had the cocoa nuts been ever so good, I am 
convinced they would have been equally divided in the 
same manner ; for indeed the sensation of hunger now 
gave us little or no pain ; while that of thirst still continued 
predominant. Water, fresh water, was what perpetually 
haunted my imagination; not a short draught which I 
could gulp down in a moment, of this I could not endure 
the thought, but a large bowl-full, that I could scarcely hold 
in my arms. And when I thought of victuals, I longed 
most for such as I could swallow at once, without the 
trouble of chewing. 

Our situation in the gun-room was comparatively so 
much easier, and more comfortable than it had been at 
the mast heads, that we became in a manner content. I 
saw no prospect of being able to get ashore, and hardly 
wished to make the attempt, there being in my opinion, 
no chance of safety there ; and of the two deaths it seemed 
better to expire quietly on the wreck, than to be torn to 
pieces by tigers. Besides, I was not altogether void ot 
hope, that by remaining on the wreck we might in the 
end be saved, the same dependence from which I had all 
along derived comfort still supporting me, namely, that 
God Almighty would not have prolonged our lives in a 
manner so extraordinary, had he not decreed to send us 


MEN SEEN ON THE SHORE* 


287 


'elief, at last. And this belief was strengthened by »e- 
marking that none of us had died since we first saw land. 

In the afternoon we observed something like men, 
walking along the shore, which raised our expectations 
greatly. The whole of us who were able got on the 
taffal rail, and endeavored to attract their attention, by 
waving cloths, and making all the noise in our power. 
But they did not take the smallest notice, and passed on, 
which seemed so unaccountable to us, that we began to 
doubt whether they were really men. The sight of them, 
nowever roused some of us to make an effort to reach the 
shore, and for that purpose we ail went into the gun¬ 
room, to get out some small spars, which we had observed 
there. With infinite fatigue we launched six of them into 
the water, but these were not thought sufficient to sup¬ 
port us all; and we were so exhausted that we could 
move no more at that time. 

But towards evening six of the stoutest Lascars got 
upon them, and it being the young flood, soon gained the 
beach, thoUgh there was a heavy surf. They found a 
stream of fresh water, of which having drank their fill, 
they lay down in despair under the shade of the bank 
under the beach. Next morning we observed them again 
walking towards the stream to drink, and it afforded us 
some consolation to know they were not destroyed by 
tigers : but we now thought ourselves too much reduced 
in strength and number to move a single spar. Two 
women, three old men, a middle aged man, who had been 
confined to bed for some days when the ship went down, 
a lad, and myself, composed the whole at this time on the 
wreck. Yet, strange to tell, these survived hardships to 
which the young and the robust had fallen an early sacri* 
fice. 

About noon, we observed a large party of natives com¬ 
ing along the beach to the spot where the men lay, and 
it was now that our attention was roused, to discover in 
what manner they treated our companions. They imme¬ 
diately kindled a fire, which we rightly concluded was for 
dressing rice. Soon afterwards they came down to the 
water’s edge waving handkerchiefs as a signal for us to 
come ashore. To describe our emotions at this moment, 


288 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


is utterly impossible. Between hope and fear, we were 
in a state of distraction. Though we saw they had no 
boats, and if they had the surf would preclude the use of 
them, still we entertained hopes that they would devi.se 
some means of coming off to us. My life which so recently 
had been a burden to me, now became infinitely precious t 
and though I observed pieces of plank floating off from 
the ship, I was afraid to trust myself on one of them. I 
proposed to the gunner, and native boatswain, to assist me 
and my boy, in getting out a spar; they at first consented, 
but after some time gave up the attempt. With-great 
difficulty myself, and my boy, got it tumbled into the 
water, and made it fast with a rope. After which we 
laid hold of a short piece of plank that was floating past, 
and secured it in the same manner. We had now each a 
piece of wood on which to make an effort. I hesitated 
some time, but was at last prevailed upon by my boy, and 
we agreed to set off together. After he had got upon his 
piece of plank, my resolution failed me ; however, when 1 
considered that the people might leave the beach at night; 
and that I should have less strength to-morrow, I felt 
myself called on to make the attempt. I therefore took 
leave of Mrs. Bremner, who, as I have already mentioned, 
was incapable of making the least exertion for herself; 
and even so weak as not to admit of one making any for 
her, with effect. It was with pain that I was obliged t?.. 
leave her, but I hoped if I reached the shore, that I should 
prevail on some of the natives to come to her relief. She 
gave me a rupee at parting, and dismissed me with a 
thousand good wishes for my safety. Just while recom¬ 
mending myself to Divine Protection, the piece^of wood 
got loose and floated away; I paused a moment, then 
summoning up all my fortitude, plunged into the sea. 
Though I could hardly move a joint before, whenever I 
got into the water, my limbs became pliant, and I soon 
swam to the spar, but could not long keep hold of it 
Had it been flat it would have continued on one side, but 
being a perfect square, it turned round with every motion 
of the water, and rolled me under it. This exhausted me 
so much as almost to put an end to my hopes, I repeatedly 
let it go in despair, but whenever I felt myself sinking, I 


THE MATE GETS ASHORE. 


289 


caught hold of it again and grasped it with al my might 
I observed that I did not get any nearer the shore, bu 
drifted in a direction almost parallel to the beach. Fore¬ 
seeing .hat I should not be able to hold on much longer, 
I tried every method to keep the spar from turning, and 
at last lay alongside of it with one hand and one leg over, 
while with the other hand and leg I tried to get it towaids 
the shore. For sometime I succeeded tolerably well, but all 
at once was overwhelmed by a most tremendous sea, 
which broke over me and tore away the spar. I now 
thought all was over, and after a short struggle was begin¬ 
ning to sink, when another surf threw me right across the 
spar, which was carried back with considerable force by the 
reflux of the sea. I was almost breathless with the shock, 
yet I instinctively grasped the spar both within my arms 
and legs, and was several times rolled round along with 
it. I was also scratched with the sand and shells which 
the surf had carried back from the beach ; but this I con¬ 
sidered as a sign that I was near the shore, though I could 
not see it, which greatly animated my hopes. One or two 
more surfs threw me violently on the rocks; and to pre¬ 
vent the returning surf from carrying me back, I laid fast 
hold of them. 

The only clothes I had on when I left the ship, were a 
flannel waistcoat, part of a shirt, and a pair of trowsers. 
1 ne two first being ragged I tied in a bundle at my back 
to prevent their encumbering me, but I lost them in the 
surf. The trowsers I still had on, but finding them 
entangled in the rocks when, the surf retreated, I tore 
them off, and contrived to crawl on all fours, for I could 
not straighten my back, beyond the reach of the surf. 
Being now perfectly naked, I found the wind extremely 
cold, and therefore laid myself under the lee of a rock, 
where in a few minutes, though I observed some of the 
natives coming towards me, I fell asleep. Three or four 
of them soon awakened me, speaking in the Moorish lan¬ 
guage, at which I was overjoyed, for I feared we were 
beyond the Company’s territories, and in those of the king 
of Ava. They told me we were only six days’ journey 
from Chittagong, that they were the Company’s ryots, or 
pcasan s, and would take care of me if I would accompany 


290 


SHIPWRECK OF THE JUNO. 


them. I answered as well as I could, that I was so much 
exhausted with fatigue and the bruises I had received, 
that I could not stir, but begged to have a few grains o 
raw rice. 

Wretched as my condition was, I felt distressed a* 
oeing seen without clothes; which they no sooner obseiv- 
ed, than one of them, a Birman inhabitant of Ava, ta 
whose humanity we were all afterwards very much in¬ 
debted, took his turban from his head, and tied around 
my middle, after the custom of the country. Observing 
me make ineffectual efforts to rise, two of them laid hold 
of my arms and bore me along, my feet seldom touching 
the ground. Coming to a little stream, I begged to be 
allowed to drink, from which they endeavored to dissuade 
me, but as I would take no denial, they let go of my arms ¥ 
and dropped me on my feet. I immediately fell on my 
face in the water, but instead of endeavoring to rise, I 
began to gulp it down as fast as I could, and should cer¬ 
tainly have drank to excess had I been permitted. 

I felt greatly relieved by bathing in the fresh water, as 
well as by what I had taken into rny stomach, and walked 
the rest of the way leaning on the arms of my conductors. 
We soon arrived where their fire was kindled, and there 
found my boy, the six Lascars, the gunner, and serang, 
or native boatswain. The Lascars had gained the shore 
the preceding day, as already mentioned, and the gun¬ 
ner, and serang, though they had left th^ ship later, as 
well as my boy, who had set off about the same time with 
me, being all more expert swimmers, had reached the 
shore before me. 

My joy at finding my companions safe, and at the 
accounts they gave of the humanity of our deliverers, 
quite overcame me, and for a while I believe my mind 
was deranged. I could not comprehend how the gunner 
and serang had got on shore, as I had left them on board, 
and their explanations served only to bewilder me the 
more. I waited patiently about ten minutes until the rice 
was boiled, and did not ask for any raw, nor, when a 
little of the boiled was brought to me on a leaf, would I 
touch it till they assured me that it was not too much. I 
then put some into my mouth with my fingers, but, after 


MRS. BREMNER GETS ASHORE. 


291 


chewing a little, I found I could not swallow it. One oi 
the natives, observing my distress, dashed some water 
with his hand into my face, which, washing the rice down 
my throat, at first almost choaked me, but it caused such 
an exertion of the muscles, that I soon recovered the 
power of swallowing. For sometime, however, I was 
obliged to take a mouthful of water with every one of 
rice. My lips and the inside of my mouth were so 
cracked with the heat, that every motion of my jaws set 
them a bleeding, and gave me great pain. 

I never could exactly recollect what passed in the inter¬ 
val, until I awoke in the evening after a most refreshing 
sleep. I then represented to the natives the situation in 
which I had left Mrs. Bremner and her fellow sufferers; 
and, well knowing the influence of money on such minds, 
hinted, that if they would save her life, she was able lib¬ 
erally to reward them. Some of them promised to watch 
during the night, as the tide was then higher than in the 
day time, and would probably bring the wreck nearer 
shore. 

I found myself very hungry after my repose, and was 
importunate that my deliverers should give me more rice, 
but they said they should have no more dressed that 
night. I therefore went to sleep again, and at midnight 
was awakened with the news that the lady and her maid 
were safe on shore. I rose immediately to welcome my 
fellow sufferers, whom I found by the fire, after having ate 
some rice; and I think I never saw joy more forcibly pic¬ 
tured than it was at that instant on the emaciated cour- 
tenance of Mrs. Bremner. 



FATAL WRECK 


OF 

THE AM PH I TRITE, 

CONVICT SHIP, 

ON THE 

COAST OF FRANCE, IN SEPT. 1833, 

By tvhich catastrophe the lives of one hundred ana 
twenty females and children , were destroyed . 

The following particulars of the loss of this vessel are 
copied from a letter dated from Boulogne-sur-Mer, Sep¬ 
tember 1st, 1833. 

The shocking event which is announced by the title to 
this letter, has, I assure you, filled the town with dismay, 
and must lead to a narrow and most rigid investigation! 
I cannot attempt to describe the afflictions, not only of the 
English, but the French, at this most distressing event j 
and I only express the general opinion when I say, that the 
British public demands that an inquiry be instituted into 
the conduct of ail parties concerned in this deplorable 
affair. 

The Amphitrite convict ship sailed for New South 
Wales from Woolwich on the 25th of August. Captain 
Hunter was the commander; Mr. Forrester the surgeon • 
and there were a hundred and eight female convicts! 
twelve ehildren, and a crew of sixteen persons. The cap- 
tam was part owner of the vessel. When the ship arrived 
off Dungeness, the gale of the 29th began. On Friday 
morning the captain hove the ship to, the gale beino- too 
neavy to sail. The vessel was about three miles to the 
east from Boulogne harbor on Saturday at noon, when 
they made land. The captain set the topsail and main* 
foresail in hopes of keeping her offshore. 


I NTREP1DITY OF A FRENCH SAILOR. 293 

From three o’clock she was in sight of Boulogne, and 
certainly the sea was most heavy and the wind extremely 
strong; but no pilot went out to her, and no life-boats or 
other assistance were despatched. I observed her from 
three o’clock till about half past four in the afternoon, 
when she came round into Boulogne harbor, and struck on 
the sands. Ejr four o’clock it was known that it was a 
British ship ; but some said it was a brig, others said it was 
a merchant vessel—though all said it was English 

It appears, from the statement of three men who have 
been saved out of the crew (all the rest having perished,) 
that the captain ordered the anchor to be let go, in hopes 
of swinging round with the tide. 

In a few minutes after the vessel had gone aground, 
multitudes rushed to the beach ; and a brave French sailor, 
named Pierre Henin, who has already received the thanks 
of the Humane Society of London, addressed himself to 
the captain of the port, and said that he was resolved to 
go alone, and to reach the vessel, in order to tell the cap¬ 
tain that he had not a moment to lose; but must, as it was 
low water, send all his crew and passengers ashore. 

You will recollect that up to the time of her running 
aground no measure was adopted, and the captain was not 
warned of his danger. 

As soon as she had struck, however, a pilot boat, com¬ 
manded by Francois Heuret, who has on many occasions 
shown much courage and talent, was despatched, and by 
a little after five came under her bows. The captain of 
the vessel refused to avail himself of the assistance of Heu¬ 
ret and his brave companions; and when a portion of the 
crew proposed going on shore, the captain prevented them. 
Two of the men saved, state that they knew the boat was 
under the bows, but that the rest were below making up 
their bundles. The crew could then have got on shore, 
and all the unfortunate women and children. 

When the French boat had gone, the surgeon sent for 
Owen, one of the crew, and ordered him to get out the 
'ong-boat. This was about half past -five. The surgeon 
discussed the matter with his wife and with the captain. 
They were afraid of allowing the prisoners to go on shore. 
The wife of the surgeon is said to have proposed to leave 
the convicts there and to eo on shore without them 
25* 


294 


LOSS OF THE AMPHIT11JTE. 


In consequence of this discussion, no long-boat was sent 
out. Three of the convict women told Owen, that they 
heard the surgeon persuade the captain not to accept the 
assistance of the French boat, on account of the prisoners 
who were on board. 

Let us now return to Pierre Henin. The French pilot 
boat had been refused by the surgeon and captain ; the 
long boat had been put out, through a discussion as to 
saving the convicts ; and it was now nearly six o’clock. 
At that time Henin went to the beach, stripped himself, 
took a line, swam naked for about three quarters of an hour 
or an hour, and arrived at the vessel at a little after seven. 
On reaching the right hand side of the vessel, he hailed 
the crew, and said, “ Give me a line to conduct you on 
land, or you are lost, as the sea is coming in.” He spoke 
in English plain enough to be heard. He touched the 
vessel, and told them to speak to the captain. They threw 
(that is, some of the crew, but not the surgeon or captain) 
two lines, one from the stern and one from the bow. The 
one from the stern he could not seize—the one from the 
bow he did. He then went towards the shore, but the rope 
was stopped. This was, it is believed, the act of the sur 
geon and captain. He (Henin) then swam back, and told 
them to give him more rope to get on shore. The captain 
and surgeon would not. They then tried to haul him in, 
but his strength failed, and he got on shore. 

You perceive, then, that up to this moment also the 
same obstacle existed in the minds of the captain and sur¬ 
geon. They did not dare, without authority, to land the 
convicts ; and rather than leave them on board, or land 
them without such authority, they perished Avith them. 

The female convicts, who were battened down under 
the hatches, on the vessel’s running aground, broke away 
the half deck hatch, and frantic, rushed on deck. Of course 
they entreated the captain and surgeon to let them go on 
shore in the long-boat, but they were not listened to, as 
the captain and surgeon did not feel authorized to liberate 
prisoners committed to their care. 

At seven o’clock the flood tide began. The crew seeing 
that there were no hopes, clung to the rigging. The poor 
one hundred and eight women and twelve children remained 


THE SHIP BREAKS, AND ALL LOST. 


295 


nn deck, uttering the most piteous cries. The vessel was 
about three quarters of a mile English from the shore ana 
no more. Owen, one of the three men saved, thinks that 
the women remained on deck in this state about an hour 
and a half. Owen and four others were on the spars, and 
thinks they remained there three quarters of an hour ; but, 
seeing no hope of being saved, lie took to swimming, and 
was brought in a state of insensibility to the hotel. Tow- 
sey, another of the men saved, was on a plank with the 
captain. Towsey asked who he was. He said, “ I am the 
captain but the next moment he was gone. Rice, the 
third man, floated ashore on a ladder, lie was in the 
aft when the other men took to the raft. When the 
French pilot boat rowed away, after being rejected by 
the captain, he (Rice) saw a man waving his hat on the 
beach, and remarked to the captain that a gentleman 
was waving to them to come on shore. The captain 
turned away, and made no answer. At that moment 
the women all disappeared—the ship broke in two. 

These are the facts of this awful case. The French 
Marine Humane Society immediately placed hundreds ot 
men on the beach ; and the office or lodging being close 
to the shore, as soon as the corpses were picked up, 
they were brought to the rooms, where I assisted many 
of my countrymen in endeavoring to restore them to 
life. Our efforts were fruitless, except in the cases of the 
three men, Owen, Rice, and Towsey. I never saw so 
many fine and beautiful bodies in my life. Soar, of the 
women were the most perfectly made; and French and 
English wept together at such a horrible loss of life in 
sight of—ay, and even close to, the port and town. Body 
after body has been brought in. More than sixty have 
been found. They will be buried to-morrow. But, alas . 
after all our efforts, only three lives have been saved out 
of one hundred and thirty-six. 



WRECK 


OF 

THE DO.DDINGTON, 

East Indiaman, on a Rock in the Indian Ocean, on 
the 17 th of July, 1755. 



The Doddington,Captain Samson, sailed from the Downs, 
‘23d April, 1755, in company with the Pelham, the Hough- 





















THE SKA BREAKING OVER THE SHIP. 


297 


wn, the Streatham, and the Edgecourt, all in the service 
m the East India Company. In about seven days they 
cleared the Channel, during which time Captain Samson 
perceived that his ship sailed faster than any of the others. 
Unwilling to lose the benefit of this superiority, by keeping 
company with the rest, he stood on alone, and soon lost 
sight of them. On the 20th of May lie made Bonavistu, 
one of the Cape de Verd islands, in sixteen degrees of 
north latitude; and on the 21st got into Porto Pryor 
(Praya) Bay. It now appeared that he had either been 
mistaken in supposing iiis ship to outsail the rest of the 
fleet, or that he had lost time by the course he had steered ; 
for the Pelham and the Streatham, he found, had reached 
the bay two days before him. The Houghton arrived soon 
afterwards; but the Edgecourt did not come in till the 
26th. 

On the 27th, the Doddington, Pelham, Streatham, and 
Houghton, having taken in their water, proceeded on the 
voyage together, leaving the Edgecourt in the road. They 
continued in company until the 28th, when Captain Sam¬ 
son thinking the course too far easterly, ordered the Dod¬ 
dington to be kept south, which again separated her from 
the rest of the fleet; and after a fine voyage of seven weeks, 
she made the land of the Cape of Good Hope. 

A new departure w'as taken from Cape Needles, on the 
5th of July, just after doubling the Cape of Good Hope ; 
and the vessel having steered eastward about twenty-four 
hours, between latitude 35 deg. 30 min. and 36 deg., the 
captain ordered her to be kept east-north-east. In this 
course she continued until about a quarter before one in 
the morning of Thursday, 17th July, when she struck 

The officer, whose journal afforded the materials for this 
narrative, was then asleep in his cabin ; but being suddenly 
awaked by the shook, he started up in the utmost conster¬ 
nation, and hastened on deck. Here all the terrors of his 
situation at once rushed on him. He saw the men dashed 
to and fro by the violence of the sea rolling over them, and 
the ship breaking to pieces at every stroke of the surge. 
C aw ling over to the larboard of the quarter-deck, which 
lay highest out of the water, he there found the captain ; 
who said very little more than that all must perish. In a 


298 


WRECK OF THE DODDINGTON. 


few minutes a sea parted them, and he saw him no more 
He made a shift to get back to the quarter-deck, though 
very much bruised, and with the small bone of his left arm 
broken. All the rest of the ship was then under water, 
and shattered to pieces. 

In this dreadful situation, expecting every moment to bo 
swallowed up, he heard somebody cry out, “ Land !” He 
looked eagerly about him, but notwithstanding he saw 
something, which he supposed was taken for land, he be¬ 
lieved it was only the surge of the sea on the other side of 
the breakers. At the same moment the sea broke over 
him with great violence, and not only forced him from the 
hold, but stunned him by a violent blow on the eye. 

Though from this time he lay insensible till after day¬ 
light, he still continued on the wreck ; and when he re¬ 
covered, he found himself fixed to a plank, by a nail that 
had been forced into his shoulder. Besides the pain of his 
wounds and bruises, he now felt himself so benumbed with 
cold, that he could scarce move either hand or foot. He 
called out as loud as he could to the people on the rocks, 
but they were unable to give him any assistance; whence 
a considerable time elapsed before he was capable of disen¬ 
gaging himself and crawling ashore. 

This shore was a barren uninhabited rock, in 33 deg. 
44 min. south latitude, and distant about two hundred and 
fifty leagues east of the Cape of Good Hope. Here were 
now met Mr. Evan Jones, chief mate; Mr. John Cottes, 
Mr. William Webb, and Mr. S. Powell, second, third, and 
fifth mates; Richard Topping, carpenter; Neil Bothwell 
and Nathaniel Chisholm, quarter-masters; Daniel Ladova, 
captain’s steward; Henry Sharp, the surgeon’s servant; 
Thomas Arnold, a black, and John M’Dowal, servants to 
the captain; Robert Beaseley, John Ding, Gilbert Cain, 
Terence Mole, Jonas Rosenbury, John Glass, — Taylor, 
and Hendrick Scantz, seamen; John Yets, midshipman? 
John Lister, Ralph Smith, and Edward Dysoy, matrosses! 
These persons, being twenty-three in number, were the 
whole surviving of two hundred and seventy souls, that 
were on board when the ship struck. 

Their first care was to search for some covering among 
the things thrown on the rocks from the ship, in which 


FOOD FOUND. 


299 


they succeeded beyond expectation. The next article of 
necessity which they felt the want of was fire, which was 
not so easily supplied. Some of their number made an 
unsuccessful attempt to kindle two pieces of wood, by rub¬ 
bing them together: others went prying about the rocks, 
to pick up something that might serve for a flint and steel. 
After long search, they found a box containing two gun- 
flints and a broken file. This was a joyful acquisition, 
though they were still destitute of any thing that would 
kindle from a spark; and until a substitute for tinder 
could be procured, the flint and steel were useless. A far¬ 
ther search was therefore undertaken, with inexpressible 
solicitude and anxiety, and at last a cask of gunpowder was 
discovered, which, however, to their great disappointment, 
proved to be wet ; but on a more narrow inspection, a 
small quantity that had suffered no damage, was found at 
the bottom of the cask. Some of this they bruised on a 
linen rag, and it served them very well for tinder. 

A fire was soon made, around which the bruised and 
wounded collected, and the rest went in quest of other neces¬ 
saries, without which the rock could afford them but a very 
short respite from destruction. In the afternoon, a box of 
wax candles and a case of brandy were brought in. Both 
were extremely acceptable, particularly the latter, of which 
each individual deemed it advisable to take a dram. Some 
others of the party returned soon after, with an account of 
their having discovered a cask almost full of fresh water, 
which was of still greater consequence than the spirits. 
Mr. Jones brought in several pieces of salt pork, and others 
arrived, driving seven hogs before them, which had come 
on shore alive. Casks of beer, water, and flour, were also 
seen at a distance; but it was not then possible to get them 
over the rocks. 

Night approaching, rendered it necessary to provide 
some shelter. All hands were therefore employed in mak¬ 
ing a tent of some canvas cast ashore ; but the quantity 
recovered was so small, that the tent could not hold them 
all. For fear of being overflowed, they were obliged to 
erect it on the highest^part of the island, which was cov¬ 
ered with the dung of a water-fowl, rather larger than a 
gannet, that much frequented it. Those unable to walk 


300 


WRECK OF THE DODDINGTON. 


were placed under the tent, and a fire kindled near them. 
They h-id passed the day without food, and were now de¬ 
prived of rest during the night; for, independent of being 
sunk a foot in the dung, the wind was so tempestuous, that 
it scattered about their fire; and, before it could be again 
collected, the rain put it out. In the morning, those who 
were able went again in search of what could be saved 
from the w'reck; but, to their great mortification, they 
found all the casks which were seen the preceding night, 
except one of flour and another of beer, staved against the 
rocks. These, however, they secured; and soon after, the 
tide flowing up, interrupted their operations. The com¬ 
pany were, therefore, called together to eat their first meal; 
and some pork was broiled on the coals for dinner. 

As soon as the repast was finished, some went to mend 
the tent, and others in search of tools, but none were found 
that day. 

On Saturday, the 19th, four butts of water w r ere secured, 
one cask of flour, one hogshead of brandy, and a small boat, 
which had been thrown up by the tide, in a shattered con¬ 
dition. Still no tools were found except a scraper. But 
next day they had the good fortune to discover a hamper, 
containing files, sail needles, gimblets, and an azimuth com¬ 
pass card. They also found two quadrants, a carpenter s 
adze, a chisel, three sw r ord blades, and a chest of treasure. 
As a prodigious surf had been rolling in all the day before, 
which it was reasonably expected would throw something 
up, the search was made early in the morning. At ten 
o’clock all assembled to prayers ; and, not going out again 
until after dinner, they then found most of the packets be* 
longing to the king and the company, which they carefully 
dried and laid aside. 

While searching about the beach, they found the body 
of a lady, which they recognised to be that of Mrs. Collet, 
the wdfe of the second mate, w'ho was himself then at a 
little distance. The mutual affection subsisting between 
this couple was of remarkable tenderness; and Mr. Jones, 
the first mate, immediately stepped to Mr. Collet, and con¬ 
trived to take him to the other side of the rock, while the 
other two mates, the carpenter, and some others, dug a 
grav ?, where they deposited the body, reading the funera 


BURIAL OF MRS. COLLET. 


301 


service* over it from a French prayer-book, which had driven 
ashore from the wreck along with the deceased. 

Having thus paid the last tribute to one of their unfor¬ 
tunate number, and concealed from Mr. Collet a sight which 
would have most sensibly, if not fatally, affected him, some 
days afterwards they found means gradually to disclose 
what they had done, and to restore him the wedding-ring, 
which they had taken from her finger. He received it 
with great emotion ; and in future spent many days in 
raising a monument over the grave, by piling up the squar¬ 
ed stones he could find, and fixing an elm plank on the 
top, inscribed with her name, her age, and the time of her 
death, and also some account of the fatal accident by which 
it was occasioned. 

On Monday, the 21st of July, more water and pork, as 
likewise some timber, plank, cordage, and canvas were re¬ 
covered. These the survivors joyfully secured for the pro¬ 
jected boat, though yet in want of many instruments indis¬ 
pensable for the carpenter’s proceeding with his work. He 
had just finished a saw, though he had neither hammer nor 
nails. It happened, however, that one of the seamen, 
Hendrick Scantz, a Swede, having picked up an old pair 
of beilows, brought them to his companions, telling them 
that he had been a smith by profession ; and that with 
these bellows and a forge, which he hoped by his direction 
they should be able to build, he could furnish the carpenter 
with all necessary tools, nails included; as plenty of iron 
might be obtained by burning it out of the timber of the 
wreck coming ashore. This account was received with a 
transport of joy. The smith immediately set himself to 
mend the bellows; and the three following days were oc¬ 
cupied in building a forge, and in collecting the timber 
and plank for the carpenter’s use, who also was employed 
in preparing the few tools already in his possession, that 
the boat might be begun as soon as possible. 

On Thursday, the 24th of July, the carpenter, assisted 
by Chisholm, the quarter-master, began to work on the 
keel of the vessel, which it was determined should be a 
sloop thirty feet long and twelve feet wide. This day also 
the smith finished his forge, and laid in a quantity of fir for 
fuel. H) and the carpenter thenceforward continued to 
26 


302 


WRECK OF THE DODDINGTON. 


work with indefatigable diligence, except when prevented 
by the weather. The smith having fortunately found the 
ring and nut of a bower anchor, which served him for an 
anvil, supplied chisels, axes, hammers, and nails, as they 
were required ; and the carpenter used them with great 
dexterity and despatch, until the 31st of the month, when 
he fell sick. 

As the lives of the whole company were dependent on 
the carpenter’s safety, they watched his recovery with the 
utmost impatience and anxiety; and to their unspeakable 
joy, his convalescence was such on the 2d of August, as to 
enable him to return to work. 

Meantime the stores which had been saved from the 
wreck were so nearly exhausted, that it was necessary to 
restrict each man to an allowance of two ounces of bread 
a day, while water also fell short. It was resolved to keep 
the salt pork to victual the new vessel. 

In this distressing state they had recourse to several ex¬ 
pedients. In digging a well, they were disappointed in 
their hopes of finding a spring; but they succeeded in 
knocking down some of the gannets that settled on the top 
of the rock. The flesh, however, was very rank, of a fishy 
taste, and as black as a sloe. They also made a catamaran, 
or float, on which they proposed to go out fishing with 
such hooks and lines as had come ashore. Likewise they 
killed some seals, but all who ate of them were sick. 

When driven to great necessity, they killed a hog. They 
generally had success in fishing, and sometimes sent out 
two rafts at a time. On one occasion, Mr. Collet, and 
Mr. Yets, the midshipman, were nearly driven out to sea, 
while engaged in this manner, where they would have in¬ 
evitably perished. They had been out fishing on the 20th 
of August until about four in the afternoon, when they 
weighed and endeavored to come in again; but the wind 
suddenly freshening from the westward, they found that 
instead of gaining ahead, they drove off very fast. Though 
the people on shore saw their distress, they knew not how 
to assist them. However, they sent out another float with 
kellicks and ropes, which they hoped would enable them 
to ride till the wind moderated. The surf, however \vas 
so great that the raft overset three times, and the’men 


ESCAPE FROM THE FLOAT. 


303 


were obliged to swim back. In the interval they saw their 
friends driving out to sea at a great rate; and were just 
giving them up to inevitable destruction, when the carpen¬ 
ter sent them word that he could make the little boat so 
tight, that she would not take in water faster than one man 
could bale out. This inspired them with new hopes, and 
every one was ready to venture to the assistance of their 
comrades. In a quarter of an hour the carpenter despatched 
the boat; and she soon overtook the float, when she re¬ 
ceived the two people. They now found that the water 
gained very fast on them, notwithstanding their utmost ef¬ 
forts ; and when the boat came in, she was so full, that in 
a few minutes more she must have sunk. 

As they were afraid to venture any longer on a raft, the 
carpenter again set to work on the boat, and put her in 
complete repair. Their success in fishing was very uncer¬ 
tain. Sometimes they caught nothing. Nor were their 
supplies on shore less precarious. The gannets would 
sometimes settle in amazing numbers like a cloud, and then 
totally disappear for several days together. This rendered 
them very desirous of finding some way to preserve the 
food they caught from putrefaction, that they might store 
up the surplus of a successful day, to serve when neither 
gannets nor fish were to be caught. They made several 
abortive attempts to cure both fish and fowl by smoking; 
and then tried to make salt, which had like to have been 
fatal to them all. The smith had made a copper vessel 
for the experiment, and they immediately set to work ; not 
knowing that their process in making salt, would produce 
verdigrise from the copper, and that it was poison. Salt 
nevertheless was procured ; but the substance rendering it 
poisonous, happened to abound in such a degree as to ren¬ 
der it intolerably offensive to the taste, and it was on that 
account thrown away. Those who ventured to swallow it 
were seized with violent cholics, cold sweats, and retchings, 
which sufficiently convinced them of the danger they had 
escaped. 

On Wednesday, the 3d of September, these unfortunate 
people had been inhabitants of this desolate rock nearly 
seven weeks; during which time they had frequently seen 
a great smoke on the main land, which made them ex- 


304 


WRECK OK THE DODDINGTON. 


tremely anxious to send the boat thither, to see what assist¬ 
ance could be obtained. Therefore Bothwell, Rosenbury, 
and Taylor, this day set out on a voyage of discovery ; and 
at night the people ashore made a great fire on the highest 
part of the rock, as a signal to them. 

While waiting the return of the boat, they were a. 
thrown into the utmost consternation by an accident wind 
befel the carpenter. He unluckily cut his leg in such a 
manner with an adze, that he was in great danger of bleed¬ 
ing to death, as they had no surgeon among them, nor any 
thing fit for applying to the wound. At length the blood 
was staunched, though with much difficulty, and the wound 
healed without the intervention of any bad symptom. 

The weather having been fair for forty hours, the re¬ 
turn of the boat was impatiently expected on Saturday, the 
6th of September. As nothing was seen of her against 
noon, the people became very uneasy; but just as they 
were sitting down to dinner, they were-agreeably surprised 
by two of their number, who came running over the rocks 
to announce her approach. All starting up, overjoyed at 
the intelligence, ran to see her come in, entertaining great 
hopes that the excursion had succeeded. But they soon 
distinguished that she was rowed by only one man, who 
plied both oars; and thence concluded that the other two 
were either lost or detained. Presently another was seen 
rising from the bottom of the boat, where it was supposed 
he had lain down for a short interval of rest; and then the 
boat advanced somewhat quicker, though yet slowly. 

Dinner was now entirely forgot; and after they had 
waited an hour on the beach with the utmost impatience, 
the boat came in. The two men were Rosenbury and 
Taylor, who, the moment of landing, threw themselves on 
their knees, uttering short but earnest ejaculations of 
thanks to God, for having once more brought them safe to 
this place ; which, barren and desolate as it was, they con¬ 
sidered an asylum from a more distressing situation. Hav¬ 
ing exerted their last effort to bring the boat to the shore, 
their strength at once forsook them, and they were unable 
to rise from the ground without assistance. 

As soon as they were conducted over to the tent, every 
one was busy to pr Dcure them refreshment; for they found 


ADVENTURE IN AN OPEN BOAT. 


305 


the boat quite empty both of provisions and water. Some 
fish was hastily dressed ; and their comrades observing 
them quite exhausted with labor and watching, left them 
without asking any questions, when they had ate their 
meal, and they immediately fell asleep. The behaviour of 
this unfortunate company to their poor messmates, was an 
uncommon instance of kindness and self-denial. The im¬ 
patience of their curiosity must have increased in propor¬ 
tion as they were interested in the account by which it was 
to be gratified. Yet even this curiosity, where the very 
preservation of life was concerned, they had the consider¬ 
ation and fortitude to repress, rather than delay the refresh¬ 
ment of the others to satisfy it. 

When the two adventurers awoke, their account was of 
the following purport: 

About three o’clock on the day of their departure, they 
got round a point about six leagues east of the rock, which, 
as they approached, had the appearance of a double point. 
This encouraged them to hope, that between the two 
points they should find a harbor; but here they were dis¬ 
appointed, as a high surf ran all along the coast. How¬ 
ever, about five o’clock, having seen only one of the na¬ 
tives, they ventured to pull in for the shore: but the mo¬ 
ment they got into the surf, the boat overset, by which 
accident Bothwell was unhappily drowned. They them¬ 
selves, who reached the shore in a feeble and exhausted 
condition, were left destitute of every supply except a 
small keg of brandy. As soon as their strength was a little 
renewed, they crawled along the shore in search of the 
boat, having no other chance of shelter from the wild beasts 
which might be expected to come abroad in the night. 
After some search they found her, but were too weak to 
get her up ; and darkness coming on, they were obliged to 
lie down on the sand, without any other covering than the 
branches of a tree, in which condition they passed the 
night. As morning dawned they again went in quest of 
the boat,.which the surf had driven from the place where 
they had left her. Walking along the coast, they saw a 
man, who, on their .advancing towards him, ran away into 
very thick woods near the beach. Proceeding onwards, 
they, in a short time, discovered the body of their comrade, 
26 * 


306 


WRECK OF 


«*o )INGTON. 


Bothwell, which had been dragged up the sand a consid¬ 
erable distance from the water, and was torn to pieces by 
some wild beast. This terrified them exceedingly; and 
having found the boat, the dread of passing another night 
on shore was so great, that they resolved immediately to 
return. 

The two adventurers were opposed in this attempt by a 
fresh gale at west; and before they could put back, the 
boat overset a second time, and drove with them along the 
shore. After much struggling and swimming, they once 
more got safe on the land, though fainting with hunger and 
fatigue, as they had been fasting ever since three o’clock 
of the preceding day. However, they happened to meet 
with a fruit resembling an apple; which they eagerly 
gathered and ate, without knowing either its name or its 
quality. Fortunately it did them no harm; and being 
somewhat refreshed by this repast, they made shift to haul 
the boat on shore. Turning it upside down, they crept 
under it to sleep, well sheltered from the sun, and secure 
against wild beasts. 

Those who know the irresistible power of sleep, after 
long watching and excessive labor, will not conclude that 
their first slumber was short, because their situation was 
incommodious, or exposed to danger. They wakened, 
however, before the next morning; and peeping out from 
under the edge of the boat, could perceive the feet of sev¬ 
eral creatures, which, by the claws, they supposed to be 
tigers, pass by them to and again. This was a sufficient 
inducement to remain in their resting place until morning, 
when once more looking out, they saw the feet of a man. 
On this discovery, they crept from below the boat, to the 
great amazement of a poor savage, and two other men and 
a boy, who were at some distance. When they had all 
collected, and were a little recovered from their surprise, 
they made signs to the sailors to go away, which they en¬ 
deavored to do, though able to move but very slowly. Be¬ 
fore having got far from the boat, a considerable number 
of the natives ran down upon them with their lances. Ro- 
senbury, as he went along, had picked up the mast of a 
boat, and a pistol, which had been washed ashore. Thus 
armed when tae Indians came down upon him, and besides 


MEET WITH SAVAGES. 


307 


Doing unable to run, he imprudently turned about, and ex¬ 
erting all his strength, advanced towards them in a threat¬ 
ening manner, supposing they would have been panic 
struck, and retreat into the woods. It happened, how¬ 
ever, that he was mistaken; for instead of running away, 
they surrounded him, and began to whet their lances. 
Taylor i.ow thought it was time to try what could be done 
by supplication; and, throwing himself on his knees, cried, 
in a piteous tone, for mercy, while Rosenbury took refuge 
in the water. The savages immediately came up to Tay¬ 
lor, and began to strip him. He suffered them quietly to 
take his shoes and his shirt; but when they attacked his 
trowsers, he made some resistance, and by his gestures en¬ 
treated that they would not leave him quite naked ; on 
which they thought fit to desist. They then made signs 
for Rosenbury to come to them, who was all this time 
swimming about in the sea; but iie refused, signifying that 
they would kill him. They then pointed to Taylor, inti¬ 
mating that he had not been killed ; on which Rosenbury 
advanced ; and having first thrown them his pistol, and all 
his clothes but his shirt, ventured to put himself in their 
hands. When he came up they offered him no violence; 
only held the boat’s mast and the pistols to him by way of 
deriding his attempt to frighten them. They seemed to be 
very much pleased witli the clothes, which they divided 
among themselves as far as they would go. Then begin¬ 
ning to rifle the boat, they took away all the r^pe they 
could find, and the hook by which the rudder hung to the 
stern-post; and next began to knock the ste-n to pieces, 
for the iron which they saw about it. Except absolute de¬ 
struction of the unfortunate mariners, this was the greatest 
mishap they could sustain ; and rough as they were, they 
burst into tears, entreating the savages, with such agony of 
distress, to desist from injuring their boat, that they suffered 
it to remain as they found it. Encouraged by such an ap¬ 
pearance of placability and kindness, and urged by hunger, 
they solicited by signs something to eat. This request was 
also granted; and the natives having given them some 
roots, again made signs for their departure. On which they 
once more got into the boat, after launching it; but the 
wind blowing strong from the west, they could not put off. 


308 


WRECK OF THE DODDINGTON. 


The natives perceiving their willingness, and also their ina¬ 
bility to comply with their desire, covered them with the 
boat to sleep under, and left them. The following morn¬ 
ing, the weather proving fine, and the wind easterly, they 
launched the boat a third time, and returned back to the 
rock. 

The carpenter and smith now continued working on the 
vessel, till the fourth Sunday, the 29th of September ; and 
the people were busy in securing what was from time to 
time thrown up by the wreck, particularly cordage and 
canvas for rigging. They also recovered some casks of 
fresh water, which they were solicitous to keep for sea 
store ; as their escape depended no less on fresh water than 
on the vessel itself, which was to carry them. 

This day, the officers, after prayers, a duty regularly and 
publicly performed every Sunday, discovered that the ches< 
of treasure had been broken open, and the greater part of it 
taken away and concealed. It may probably appear 
strange, that those whom danger had made religious, should 
at the same time be guilty of theft; but it should here be 
remembered, that as soon as a ship is lost, the sailors lose 
their pay, and the captain his command ; and whatever is 
cast ashore from the wreck, is considered by the sailors in 
the light of common property. The men, therefore, who 
ventured secretly to take what they deemed their share of 
this treasure, were not conscious of acting dishonestly, but 
only designed to secure what they dreaded the officers 
would monopolize, and thus prevent disputes, which, in 
their circumstances, might produce fatal effects. The offi¬ 
cers, however, on discovering what had been done, and 
finding that none would own any thing about it, proposed 
to write the form of an oath, and administer it separately 
to every individual, themselves taking it first. To this the 
majority immediately objected; for though they might not 
suppose themselves guilty of a crime by taking the treasure, 
they were aware that it would not only be immoral but 
impious, to swear they had not taken it. As the minority 
were not in a condition to enforce their proposal, the mat¬ 
ter was suffered to rest without further inquiry or re¬ 
monstrance. 

A fowling-piece was found on the 6th of October, which 


l.rlAVl.Nii 'f IIK ISLAND. 


309 


was a joyful acquis tion ; and although the barrel was much 
beat, it was soon made serviceable by the carpenter, and 
used with great success in shooting the birds. There was 
no other method before of taking them, but by knocking 
them down with a stick. 

On Friday, the lltli of October, the gannets, which had 
of late forsaken the rock, were observed again hovering 
about it in great numbers. The shipwrecked people were 
therefore in hopes that they would settle to lay their eggs, 
and in this they were not disappointed. They were con¬ 
stantly supplied with great plenty of eggs, until the begin¬ 
ning of January, when the laying season terminated. 

Some rainy weather now prevailed, which was very ac¬ 
ceptable, as they contrived to save some of the water for 
sea store; but they were still in want of bread, and had 
lived many days on short allowance. As a last resource, 
they thought of building an oven; for though they had no 
bread, they had some barrels of flour. In this attempt they 
succeeded beyond expectation, and were able to convert 
their flour into tolerable biscuit. At length the biscuit 
also was near exhausted, and their allowance of it restricted 
to a few ounces per day, without brandy ; of which only a 
small quantity remained, and this was preserved inviolable 
for the use of the carpenter. Water likewise ran short, 
and a pint a day was all their allowance. However, their 
health still remained in a great measure entire ; and on the 
16th of February, 1756, they launched their vessel, which 
they called the Happy Deliverance. Next day, their little 
pittance of stores was got on board ; and on the 18th they 
get sail from the rock, which, at parting, they named Bint 
Island, and where they had lived just seven months. 

All their provisions consisted of six casks of water, two 
live hogs, a firkin of butter, about four pounds of biscuit 
for each man, and ten days’ subsistence of salt provisions, 
in bad condition, at the rate of two ounces a day per man. 

At one in the afternoon of the 18th, the adventurers 
weighed anchor; and with a light breeze from the west, 
set sail for the river St. Lucia, on the coast of Natal. For¬ 
tune, however, did not cease to persecute them. For five 
days they met with nothing but adversity; and during 
twenty-five in succession, their provisions were almost ex 


310 


WRECK OF THE DODDINGTON. 


hausted; and currents, running at the rate of a mile anq 
a half an hour, carried them so far out of their course, that 
a favorable wind was of little avail. Their state became 
more and more deplorable, and they at length despaired of 
reaching the river St. Lucia; as the currents ran.strong to 
the west, and easterly winds almost always prevailed, they 
resolved to change their course, and attempt to make the 
Cape of Good Hope. Thus on the 2d of March they bore 
away to the west. 

Next day the weather proved hazy, and they apprehend¬ 
ed that heavy westerly gales would ensue. Their conjec¬ 
tures were verified, for the wind increased to prodigious 
violence, until the 4th of the month, when they endeavored 
to lie to; but shipped such heavy seas, that they dreaded 
Jest every surge would dash their slight vessel to pieces. 
Thus they were still obliged to be cautious, and bear away 
under a topsail. The squalls were at times so violent, that 
the sea appeared like cliffs above the stern; and in this 
alarming manner were they hurried along by furious storms 
until the morning of the 5th, when fine weather ensued. 

A calm prevailed on the 7th, and they cast anchor about 
three quarters of a mile from a shore, where they soon ob¬ 
served several of the natives, who came down from the 
mountains. Encouraged by this sight, they endeavored to 
land ; and Thomas Arnold, the black servant, accompanied 
by two seamen, embarked in the boat, carrying a string of 
amber beads as a present to the Indians. Arnold leapt, 
out of the boat when near the beach, and swam ashore; 
while the boat returned to the vessel, which was standing 
on at some distance in search of a place where the people 
might safely debark. Attended by about forty of the na¬ 
tives, Arnold followed the vessel to a suitable place, and 
the boat was sent to take him off. He reported, that on 
his arrival, the savages at first appeared very reserved ; bui, 
at length, having all sat down, they made him sit down 
among them. He then presented the string of beads to 
the oldest, who received it with marks of consideration. 
On making signs that he wanted food, they supplied him 
with Indian corn, fruit, and water, in a calabash. He ad¬ 
ded that they had sent into the country for sheep, oxen, 
and other necessaries, whence he was desirous of returning 


FIND PLENTY OF PROVISIONS. 


311 


to them; but the wind continuing westerly, the boat only 
was sent ashore; which soon returned with food sufficient 
to serve during four days. 

The vessel coasted along until the 10th of Marcn, when 
the wind changed to the east; and the people then cast 
anchor in twelve fathoms, half a mile from the shore. 
Several Indians came down to the beach in the evening, 
and by signs invited them to land, which they considered 
impracticable. Next morning the natives renewed their 
nvitation, by driving before them a great many goats and 
bullocks. This was a pleasing spectacle to men almost 
famished with hunger: however they still judged it impos¬ 
sible to land. In a situation so tantalising they continued 
till the 14th, when two men requested to be sent ashore at 
all risks; saying it was better to go and live among the 
savages than to perish of hunger on board, where for two 
days they had not ate a morsel. They were therefore sent 
off in the boat, and with great difficulty reached the shore. 
The wind fell the same evening, and seemed tending to 
the west; which occasioned much uneasiness to those on 
board, on account of their two comrades ashore; for they 
dreaded that it might blow too hard for them to remain at 
anchor until morning. Thus frequent signals were made 
through the night by showing lights, in hopes of bringing 
them down to the beach, that they might get off before the 
surf rose too high. No intelligence was obtained of them 
until six in the morning; but it was then too late to get 
them on board, from the violence of the wind and height 
of the surf. Trusting to find some more favorable place 
whence to take them in, signals were made that they should 
proceed along the shore, while the bark followed the same 
direction. They had not advanced tw r o leagues, when a 
very convenient spot was found; opposite to which the 
vessel, working close to the shore, anchored in five fathoms 
water. The boat was then sent out, with four men, two 
of whom were employed in recovering those ashore, and 
the other two in sounding the mouth of a river, where they 
were in great hopes of finding water enough for the vessel 
to pass over the bar. About three hours afterwards, the 
two men were seen with the four belonging to the boat, 


312 


WRECK OF 1 liE DODDIN'Gl N. 


but on account of the height of the surf they durst not e:n- 
bark. 

All those on board spent the night in the greatest un¬ 
easiness. At break of day they weighed anchor, and stood 
still nearer the shore; but observing that their companions 
were still afraid to venture, they made them understand, 
that if they did not immediately return, or show that it 
was possible to enter the river, they should be obliged to 
abandon them, as provisions began to fail, and there was 
no appearance of any here. These menaces had the de¬ 
sired effect, and two of the men braved the extreme vio¬ 
lence of the surf in the boat. Having gained the bark 
they said that they had been well received by the natives 
who gave them beef and fish to eat, and supplied them 
with milk; .and then conducted them over the mountains, 
from the place where they landed, to that where they 
found their companions. 

An easterly wind rendered it dangerous to remain at 
this spot, but was favorable for their entering the river, 
where sufficient water was said to be above the bar. Ac¬ 
cordingly they weighed anchor at eleven in the forenoon 
and advanced ; the boat always being before, sounding. 
But when close to the bar, those ashore made signals to 
desist; which they did, and anchored. The boat returning, 
informed them that there were only eight feet of water at 
the bar, and that it was necessary to wait the flowing of 
the tide in order to pass it. At two in the afternoon thev 
once more hoisted sail, easily entered the river, and cast 
anchor in two fathoms and a half. Their first considera¬ 
tion was how to traffic with the natives for provisions and 
otner necessaries, having never heard of any commerce on 
this coast. The consultation did not continue lon«-. for 
they had but little to exchange; their whole stock consist¬ 
ing of brass buttons, nails, and iron bolts, copper hoops, of 
which they made rings, such as are called bangles by the 
Indians, and worn as bracelets on the legs and arms. 
These they carried on shore, and showing them to the na¬ 
tives, made signs by imitating the lowing of cattle, and 
oleating of sheep, that they wished these animals in ex- 
cnange for them. The Indians cpiickly comprehended 
their meaning, and speedily brought two small oxen, which 


BARTER WITH THE INDIANS. 


313 


were purchased for a pound of copper and three or four 
brass buttons. Each of the oxen weighed about live or six 
hundred pounds, and the flesh proved excellent. The 
Indians seemed well content with their bargain, and pro¬ 
mised to bring more cattle. They likewise sold a great 
quantity of milk at a very low rate, demanding but a single 
button for two or lliree gallons. They also sold, at the 
same rate, a quantity of small grain resembling a Guinea 
corn, which the strangers bruising between two stones, 
made into a kind of bread, which they baked on hot cin¬ 
ders. This they were in hopes to preserve, until they 
could procure what was of better quality; but here they 
were disappointed, for in three days it became mouldy. 
Nevertheless, the grain was found salutary food when 
boiled along with meat. 

In this place they remained about fifteen days, and fre¬ 
quently penetrated the country, ten or twelve miles, to the 
dwellings of the natives, who lived in huts covered with 
rushes, which formed a kind of thatch. They were ex¬ 
tremely clean within; and the natives frequently invited 
their visitors to spend the night there, during their resi¬ 
dence on the coast. They always testified great friendship 
towards the English, often ate along with them, and seemed 
to enjoy the European method of preparing food. But 
they particularly prized the entrails of animals, which they 
commonly ate raw, after giving them a shake. They also 
took much pleasure in going on board the vessel, and re¬ 
peatedly came up the river in the boat along with the 
English, uniformly displaying a very sociable disposition. 
They showed no jealousy; and left their sisters and daughters 
whole days with the strangers, while rambling about the 
woods. 

Hunting is the principal occupation of these savages. 

*- Tntir omy weapons are lances, and two short clubs, with 
a large knob at the end, which are used to kill an animal 
when it is wounded by the lance. The river is full of 
inanaties, or sea cows, which commonly come to the banks 
and pasture in the night. They are quite harmless, and 
the natives frequently kill them for food while asleep. 
They also had a few elephant’s tusks, which they would 
have given for a mere trifle; but the English had no room 
27 


314 


WRECK OF THE DODDINCTON. 


for them in the vessel. These savages wore few clothes in 
the day-time; but at night covered themselves with a bul¬ 
lock’s hide, which was well dried, and which they had the 
art of rendering very pliant. Their chief ornaments were 
a piece of the tail of an ox, which hung from the rump 
down to the heels, and was adorned with small sea-shells. 
They also wore pieces of skin round the knees, ankles, and 
arms. Their hair was anointed with abundance of fat or 
grease, mixed with a kind of red earth, and the whole body 
was likewise anointed. Their activity and address were 
so great in throwing theii lances, that at the distance of 
thirty or forty yards, they could strike an ear of corn set up 
as a mark. They practised another exercise, particularly 
at meeting each other, or on separation, which consisted 
of dancing or leaping in a circle, and uttering the most 
hideous cries, sometimes like howling of dogs, and some¬ 
times like the grunting of hogs, all the while actively 
wielding their lances. 

The English were extremely surprised to find among 
these savages, who were quite black with woolly hair, a 
youth, apparently twelve or fourteen years of age, perfectly 
white, with European features, fine light hair, and alto¬ 
gether different from the natives of this country. They 
remarked that he was treated as a servant, that the savages 
sent him their errands, and sometimes did not allow him 
to eat with them ; but that he waited until the end of their 
repast, before making his own. They seemed, at the same 
time, to live in great friendship with each other; and when 
they had any thing to eat, though in ever so small a quan¬ 
tity, the owner shared it equally with all present, and ap¬ 
peared to enjoy much satisfaction in doing so. 

After the English had thus, by the intervention of Prov¬ 
idence, collected a very considerable quantity of provisions, 
they weighed anchor at five in the morning of the 29th, 
and stood over the bar. But there a dangerous surf was 
running, which almost broke into the vessel, and becalm¬ 
ing their sail, put them in great hazard of being shipwrecked 
on the rocks. At length they had the good fortune to get 
over the bar, and sailed for the river St. Lucia, where they 
arrived on the 6th of April, without any remarkable oc¬ 
currence. 


FURTHER TRAFFIC WITH THE IN13I INS. 315 

Having landed, they were soon convinced that (hose 
with whom they were to traffic, were very different from 
the savages they had left. On signifying that they wished 
to trade with them, the Indians intimated that they wanted 
no commodity but a kind of small beads ; nevertheless, 
when shown copper buttons, they speedily brought several 
bullocks, fowls, potatoes, gourds, and some other provi¬ 
sions. No bullocks could be purchased, because the na¬ 
tives demanded copper rings, large enough for collars, in 
exchange; but they sold fowls and gourds at a low price, 
giving five or six of the former, of a large size, for a bit of 
linen, not worth above fourpence in England. 

Here the English remained three weeks, occupying them¬ 
selves in traversing the country, and in seeing the savages’ 
mode of life, as also in endeavoring to obtain the articles 
they required. These Indians put the highest value on 
copper ; and, on being shown the handle of an old box, of¬ 
fered two bullocks for it. The bargain was speedily con¬ 
cluded, and they drove them to the bark. The natives ap¬ 
peared very proud and haughty, and quite different in the 
recommendatory manners that characterized those whom 
the English had lately left. The latter discovered that the 
principal chief, whom they paid for being accommodated 
all night in one of his huts, had stolen some pieces of iron, 
which they had brought in a basket, to discharge their ex¬ 
penses while ashore. Though remaining two or three days 
in the interior, the natives could never be prevailed on to 
eat along with their visitors. They differed also from the 
former Indians in the method of preparing their food, which 
was here done with greater neatness. They were likewise 
more cleanly in their persons, and bathed every morning, 
apparently as an act of devotion; nothing of which was 
observed among the others. They wore no kind of orna¬ 
ment similar to them. Their chief pride seemed to be to 
keep their hair in great order. They watched strictly over 
their women. Their arms, however, resembled those of 
the others, as did their diversions. Men were seen among 
them, who came from Delagoa, trading in ambergris and 
elephant’s tusks. 

A favorable breeze springing up from the west, attended 
with good weather, the English weighed anchor, at ' 


316 


WRECK OF TIIE DODDINCJTQN. 


"n the morning of the 18th of May, and set sail. Al out a 
quarter of an hour before high \v5ter, when almost on a 
bar crossing the river, some of them were so imprudent as 
to lower the sail, and cast anchor on a sand bank. Nine 
men then got into the boat, and rowed towards the shore ; 
declaring they would rather run all risks among the sav¬ 
ages, than be drowned to a certainty in passing the bar. 
Those on board hesitated whether to attempt the passage 
or return; but the wind and tide driving the vessel out of 
the river, gave every reason to believe, that if the tide fell, 
she would strike the bar and be dashed to pieces. At 
length they weighed anchor, trusting to save the vessel 
and preserve their lives, and were soon carried among the 
breakers. Here they were in the most alarming situation. 
There were only eight feet of water, while the vessel drew 
five. After remaining half an hour in the jaws of death, 
the surface of the water suddenly became smooth as glass, 
and they left the river St. Lucia in safety. Those ashore, 
most of whom had nothing but a shirt and a pair of trow- 
sers, followed along the coast on foot. 

On the 20th of the month the English made Delagoa 
River, where they cast anchor in nine fathoms. There 
they found the Rose, a snow, commanded by Captain 
Chandler, in which some of them requested a passage to 
Bombay. Having remained three weeks in this place, 
three of their comrades, who had gone ashore at St. Lucia, 
rejoined them in a small canoe, and said that their six 
companions were on the other side />f Delagoa Bay, from 
whence they waited an opportunity of coming over. 

The officers, judging themselves now in the most conve¬ 
nient situation for securing the treasure, packets, and other 
effects of the Doddington, sent four or five men ashore, 
and two on board the snow. Mr. Jones then came in 
Captain Chandler’s pinnace, well manned and armed, to 
the vessel, and carried all the money, plate, and letters he 
could find in her, to the snow, that they might be given up 
on her arrival at Madras. The people remaining in the 
vessel, apprehending a second visit, which might have been 
extremely disagreeable, took an opportunity of esc; ping 
during the night. 

The Rose sailed for Madagascar on the 25th of May, 


THREE OF TIIE PARTY DEAD. 


317 


for the purpose of completing her cargo ; as, in consequence 
ot a misunderstanding between Captain Chandler and the 
natives, they had drove away above an hundred head ot 
cattle after having sold them to him. On the same day, a 
vessel came in sight, which, on approaching, proved to be 
the bark. Two of the people, one of whom was the car¬ 
penter, coming on board the snow, persuaded Captain 
Chandler to purchase their little vessel for five hundred 
rupees, and he gave his note for that sum. They told him 
that they had recovered the other six men, who had gone 
ashore at St. Lucia; but three of that parly were already 
dead, and two extremely ill, from the fatigues they had 
suffered in travelling by land. .These also died a few days 
afterwards. Captain Chandler then continued his course 
to Madagascar, in company with the bark ; and after a 
voyage of twenty-two days, discovered the island, where 
he anchored, off Morondova, on the 14th of June. The 
Caernarvon, commanded by Norton Hutchinson, bound 
from Europe for China, likewise arrived there on the 16th. 

The packets and treasure being destined for Madras, 
they w r ere put on board this vessel; which quitted Moron¬ 
dova on the 1st of July, and, having arrived a month after¬ 
wards at that government, the udiolc were delivered ac¬ 
cording to their original destination. 



27* 



LOSS 


OF 

THE SHIP MARGARET. 


♦ 

*■ 

This vessel was wrecked off Salem, on the 21st of May, 
1810. The following account was published by Captain 
Fairfield, after his arrival at Marblehead. 

We sailed from Naples, homeward bound, on the 10th 
of April, with a crew, including officers, of fifteen in num¬ 
ber, together with thirty-one passengers, making forty-six 
in all, men and boys. We passed through the Gut of 
Gibraltar the 22d of April. Nothing of moment occurred 
until Sunday, the 20th of May, when in latitude forty de¬ 
grees north, longitude 39 degrees 30 minutes west, having 
strong breezes of wind at south-east and east-south-east, 
and rainy weather. At 10 A. M. took in royals, top-galiant- 
studding-sails, fore and mizen-top-gallant-sails, jibs, stay¬ 
sails, and main-sail. At meridian, wind and weather con¬ 
tinued as before mentioned. At one P. M. on the 21st, 
the fore-topmast-studding-sail haulyards parted, the stud¬ 
ding-sail fell overboard, filled with water, and carried away 
the studding-sail boom. We took in lower studding-sail, 
spanker, and mizen-top-sail, by which time it became 
squally, and we immediately clewed down fore and main- 
top-sail, and let fly the sheets. The wind shifted in an in 
slant from east-south-east to south-west; and although the 
helm was hard to weather, we could not get the ship before 
the wind, but was instantly hove-* on her beam ends. 
Every person on board the ship being; at this time on deck, 
reached either the bottom or side of the ship, and held on. 
We secured an axe, and immediately cut away the weather 
lanyard of the shrouds, masts and long-boat; which being 
done the ship rig^H being full of water, her hatches off', 



The long-boat laying under the lee of the ship 









































































































































' 






. 








































. 






■ 


DIFFICULTY WITH THE LONG BOAT. 3^1 

chests, water-casks, &c. drifting amongst the wreck. The 
guns, anchors, camboose, and every article on deck, we 
hove overboard to lighten the ship, and endeavored to c ear 
the wreck of spars, rigging, &c. which lay beating against 
her to windward; but our efforts were in vain, the star¬ 
board lanyards of the shrouds being deep under water, and 
fast to the ship, and the sea making a continual breach 
over her. During this time the long-boat lay beating among 
the wreck of spars, &c. bottom up, the pinnace being 
wrecked entirely to pieces except her keel, and about three 
streaks of the board of her bottom, lay in the same situa¬ 
tion as the long-boat; and the stern-boat lying at a small 
distance from the ship, full of water, with her gunwales 
torn off, butts started, and stern about half stove in. It 
wds with the utmost difficulty that we baled her out, and 
kept her so far free as to enable us to get a rope fast to the 
long-boat; by which we hauled her alongside the ship, 
turned her over, and found her to be badly stove, her gun¬ 
wales and stem broken entirely off, her wood ends and gar- 
berd streak open, and large holes in her bottom ; so that 
we found it impossible to bale her out, and we were under 
the necessity of upsetting her again in the sea, with the 
hope of being able to stop a part of the holes in her bottom, 
which we in part effected by driving the butts together, 
and by putting canvass, dbc. into the largest holes in her 
bottom ; after which we turned her over again, and by con¬ 
tinual baling with every bucket, &c. which we could pro¬ 
cure, we were enabled to keep her from sinking, still keep¬ 
ing lender the lee of the ship. By this time it was about 
seven i 3 . M., when the boat being hauled near to the ship, 
for the purpose of getting canvas and oakum to stop the 
leak, as many men as could reach the long-boat jumped 
into her; and finding the boat would be again sunk if we 
remained so near the ship, we were obliged to veer the boat 
to leeward of the ship at the distance of fifteen or twenty 
fathoms, being twelve in number in the boat. We had not 
been in this situation but a short time, before one man 
jumped from the ship into the sea, and made for the boat 
We took him in ; but finding that all on board were deter¬ 
mined to pursue the same plan, we were obliged to veer 
the boat further off. We stated to those on board the ship 


322 


LOSS OF THE MARGARET. 


our situation, which was also evident to them, as it require ii 
all our exertions to keep the boat from sinking. During 
the night we lay with a rope fast from the ship to the boat, 
and under her lee; when the people on board the ship 
being exceedingly anxious to get into the boat (which had 
tney effected we should all have been inevitably lost,) kept 
hauling the boat towards them. We then bent on another 
rope, and veered out as they hauled ; but finding they were 
determined to sink the boat by getting into her, we were 
obliged (after stating repeatedly to them our situation) to 
tell them, that provided they persisted in getting into the 
boat, we should be obliged, though very reluctantly, to cut 
the rope and leave them; after which they desisted from 
hauling the boat towards the ship. At this time we were 
thirteen in number in the long-boat, and two men in the 
stern-boat lying under the lee of the ship, continually baling 
to keep her from sinking ; which augmented our number 
to more than could with any degree of safety attempt to 
leave the ship in the long-boat, in the shattered condition 
she was then in. 

Monday morning—moderate breezes and sea tolerably 
smooth ; at which time the people on the wreck were about 
half of them on the taffrail rail, and the remainder on the 
bowsprit and windlass, every other part of her being under 
water continually. They kept entreating us to take them 
into the boat. We then told them our determination was 
to continue by the ship while she kept together, and that 
the boat was not in a situation to leave them unless they 
attempted to come into her ; but if any of them once made 
the attempt, we should be under that necessity, notwith¬ 
standing our wretched situation, having no compass, quad¬ 
rant, or any instrument whatever, by which we could direct 
our course, not a single drop of fresh water in the boat, 
and two men continually baling: all of which circumstances 
were known to them. 

About this time casks of brandy and sundry other arti¬ 
cles of the cargo were drifting from the wreck ; amongst 
which we picked up the mizen-top-gallant-sail, two spars, 
five oars, one cask of oil, one drowned pig, one goat, and 
one bag of bread ; and they hove us a gallon keg of brandy 
from the ship. We then fixed a sail for the boat from 


leaving the ship. 


323 


the mizen-top-gailant-sail. It being now alout eleven 
A. M. the people on the wreck were again determined to 
get into the boat, and began by jumping into the sea. See- 
ng their intention, we veered the boat further from the 
ship, and they again returned to her; after which we re¬ 
peated to them our determination to continue by them so 
long as the ship held together; but if any other person at¬ 
tempted to come into the boat, we would that instant leave 
them, notwithstanding our desperate situation. At this 
time they had secured on the wreck, two quadrants, two 
compasses, one hogshead of water, bread, flour, and a 
plenty of provisions, as they frequently informed us; but 
they would not spare us any of these articles, unless we 
consented to come alongside the ship with the boat; which 
had we done we should have been sunk in an instant, as 
they were prepared to jump, having oars, chests, &c. ready 
for the purpose on the tafl'rail rail. Notwithstanding they 
knew our determination, and the impossibility of our taking 
them into the boat, they still persisted in trying to get into 
her; and one of them jumped into the sea and made for 
the small boat, which lay veered to the leeward of the ship, 
which he reached ; but finding we would not take him into 
the long-boat, he returned to the ship with the small boat. 
As they were now all determined to pursue the same plan, 
we were under the painful necessity of cutting the rope by 
which we were fast to the ship, and row and sail from them 
for the preservation of our lives, in the hope of falling in 
with some vessel to relieve us ; which was almost the only 
hope we had left, being about four hundred miles distant 
from the nearest land, and in th) desperate situation before 
stated. At this time it was about meridian, with moderate 
wind from the southward and westward. We made our 
course as nearly east as possible, for the island of Corvo or 
Flore- ; and the last we saw of the ship, she was lying in 
the same situation as when we parted from her. We con¬ 
tinued our course to the eastward, having the winds varia¬ 
ble from south-south-east to north-west, and two men con¬ 
stantly baling; steering in the night by the stars, when to 
be seen, and in dark cloudy weather by the heaving of the 
sea, and in the day time by judging from the bearing of 
the sun, when to be seen, and when not, by the best of 


324 


LOSS OF THE MARGARET, 


our judgment. For four days we continued in th £ situa 
tion without seeing any vessel; but on Saturday, the 26th 
of May, at one P. M. to our great joy we espied a sail 
which proved to be the brig Poacher, of Boston, Captain 
James Dunn, from Alicant; who took us on board, and 
treated us with every attention and civility. 







BURNING 


or 


T H E PRINCE, 

4 French Fast Indiaman , in 1752. By Licutenan 
de la Fond. 



On the 19th of February, 175*2, a French East Indiaman, 
called the Prince, sailed from Port TOrient on a voyage 
outward bound. But soon afterwards, a sudden shift of 
wind drove her on a sand hank, where she was exposed to 
imminent danger, and heeled so much that the mouths of 
the guns lay in the sea. By lightening the ship, however, 
accompanied hy laborious and incessant exertions, she 
floated with the rise of the tide, and, being again carried 
into port, was completely unloaded, and underwent 
thorough repair. 

28 









326 


BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 


The voyage was resumed on the 10th of Juie, with a 
favorable wind ; and, for several weeks, seemed to promise 
every success that could be desired. 

While in eight degrees thirty minutes south latitude, and 
,‘n five degrees west longitude from Paris, M. de la Fond, 
one of the lieutenants of the ship, was, just at the moment 
of this observation, informed by a seaman that smoke was 
issuing from the main hatchway. The first lieutenant, who 
had the keys of the hold, immediately ordered every hatch¬ 
way to be opened to ascertain the truth. 

But the fact was too soon verified ; and, while the captain 
hastened on deck from the great cabin, where he sat at 
dinner, Lieutenant de la Fond ordered some sails to be 
dipped in the sea, and the hatches to be covered with them, 
in order to prevent the access of air, and thus stifle the 
fire. He had even intended, as a more effectual measure, 
to let in water between decks to the depth of a foot; but 
clouds of smoke issued from the crevices of the hatchways, 
and the flames gained more and more by degrees. 

Meantime, the captain ordered sixty or eighty soldiers 
under arms, to restrain any disorder and confusion which 
might probably ensue; and in this he was supported by 
their commander, M. de la Touche, who exhibited uncom¬ 
mon fortitude on the occasion. 

Every one was now employed in procuring water: all 
the buckets were filled, the pumps plied, and pipes intro¬ 
duced from them into the hold. But the rapid progress of 
the flames baffled the exertions to subdue them, and aug¬ 
mented the general consternation. 

The yawl, lying in the way of the people, was hoisted 
out by order of the captain ; and the boatswain, along w*ith 
three others, took possession of it. Wanting oars, they 
were supplied with some by other three men, who leaped 
overboard. Those in the ship, however, desired them to 
return ; but they exclaimed, that they wanted a rudder, and 
desired a rope to be thrown out. However, the progress 
of the flames soon showing them their only alternative for 
safety, they withdrew from the ship; and she, from the ef¬ 
fect of a breeze springing up, passed by. 

On board the utmost activity still prevailed, and the 
courage of the people seemed to be augmented by the dif- 


DREADFUL CONSTERNATION. 


327 


hcu ty of escape. The master boldly went ;»own into the 
hold, but the intense heat compelled him to return ; and, 
had not a quantity of water been dashed over him, he 
would have been severely scorched. Immediately subse¬ 
quent to this period, flames violently burst from the main 
hatchway. 

At that time the captain ordered the boats to be got out, 
while consternation enfeebled the most intrepid. The long¬ 
boat had been secured at a certain height, and she was 
about to be put out over the ship’s side ; when, unhappily, 
the fire ran up the mainmast, and caught the tackle. The 
boat fell down on the guns, bottom upwards; and it was 
vain to think of getting her righted. 

At length it became too evident that the calamity was 
beyond the reach of human remedy—nothing but the 
mercy of the Almighty could interpose. Consternation 
was universally disseminated among the people ; nothing 
but sighs and groans resounded through the vessel; and 
the very animals on board, as if sensible of the impending 
danger, uttered the most dreadful cries. The certainty of 
perishing in either element was anticipated by every human 
being here, and each raised his heart and hands towards 
Heaven. 

The chaplain, who was now on the quarter-deck, gave 
the people general absolution for their sins; and then re¬ 
paired to the quarter-gallery to extend it yet further, to 
those miserable wretches who, in hopes of safety, had al¬ 
ready committed themselves to the waves. What a horri¬ 
ble spectacle ! Self-preservation was the only object. Each 
was occupied in throwing overboard whatever promised 
the most slender chance of escape—yards, spars, hen¬ 
coops, and every thing occurring, was seized in despair, 
and thus employed. 

Dreadful confusion prevailed. Some leaped into the sea, 
anticipating that death which was about to reach them; 
others, more successful, swam to fragments of the wreck ; 
while the shrouds, yards, and ropes, along the side of the 
vessel, were covered with the crew crowding upon them, 
and hanging there, as if hesitating which alternative of de¬ 
struction to choose, equally imminent and equally terrible. 

A father was seen to snatch his son from the flames, fold 


328 


BURNING OF TI1E PRINCE. 


nim to his breast, and then throwing him ii to the sea, him¬ 
self followed, where they perished in each other’s embrace. 

Meantime Lieutenant de la Fond ordered the helm to be 
shifted. The ship heeled to larboard, which afforded a 
temporary preservation; while the fire raged along the 
starboard from stem to stern. 

Lieutenant de la Fond had, until this moment, been en¬ 
grossed by nothing but adopting every means to preserve 
the ship ; now, however, the horrors of impending destruc¬ 
tion were too conspicuously in view. His fortitude, not¬ 
withstanding, through the goodness of Heaven, never for¬ 
sook him. Looking around, he found himself alone on the 
deck, and he retired to the round-house. There lie met 
M. de la Touche, who regarded the approach of death with 
the same heroism which, in India, had gained him celebrity. 
“ My brother and friend,” he cried, “ farewell.” “ Whither 
are you going?” asked Lieutenant de la Fond. “ To com¬ 
fort my friend, the captain,” he replied. 

M. Morin, who commanded this unfortunate vessel, 
stood overwhelmed with grief for the melancholy state of 
his female relatives, passengers along with him. He had 
persuaded them to commit themselves to the waves on hen¬ 
coops, while some of the seamen, swimming with one hand, 
endeavored to support them with the other. 

The floating masts and yards were covered with men 
struggling with the watery element, many of whom now 
perished by balls discharged from the guns as heated by'the 
fire ; and thus presenting a third means of destruction, 
augmenting the horrors environing them. While anguish 
pierced the heart of M. de la Fond, he withdrew his eyes 
from the sea; and a moment after, reaching the starboaut 
gallery, he saw the flames bursting with frightful noLe 
through the windows of the round-house and of trie great 
cabin. The fire approached, and was ready to consume 
him. Considering it vain to attempt the further preserva¬ 
tion of the ship, or the lives of his fellow-sufferers, lie 
thought it his duty, in this dreadful condition, to save him¬ 
self yet a few hours, that these might be devoted to 
Heaven. 

Stripping off bis clothes, he designed slipping down a 
yard, one end of which dipped in the water; but it was ao 



























































































































































































































































































































































































* 









































•* 
































AN APPALLING SCENE. 


331 


covered with miserable beings, shrinking frcm death, that 
he tumbled over them and fell into the sea. There a 
drowning soldier caught hold of him. Lieutenant de la 
Fond made every exertion to disengage himself, but in 
vain: he even allowed himself to sink below the surface, 
yet he did not quit his grasp. Lieutenant de la Fond 
plunged down a second time; still he was firmly held by 
the man, who then was incapable of considering that his 
death, instead of being of service, would rather hasten his 
own. At last, after struggling a considerable time, and 
swallowing a great quantity of water, the soldier’s strength 
failed; and sensible that Lieutenant de la Fond was sink¬ 
ing a third time, he dreaded being carried down along with 
him, and loosened his grasp. No sooner was this done, 
than M. de la Fond, to guard against a repetition, dived 
below the surface, and rose at a distance from the place. 

This incident rendered him more cautious for the future 
lie even avoided the dead bodies, now so numerous, that, 
to make a free passage, he was compelled to shove them 
aside with one hand, while he kept himself floating with 
the other ; for he was impressed with the apprehension, 
that each was a person who would seize him, and involve 
him in his own destruction. But strength beginning to 
fail, he was satisfied of the necessity of some respite, when 
he fell in with part of the ensign-staff. He put his arm 
through a noose of the rope to secure it, and swam as well 
as he could: then perceiving a yard at hand, he seized it 
by one hand. However, beholding a young man scarce 
able to support himself at the other extremity, he quickly 
abandoned so slight an aid, and one which seemed incapa¬ 
ble of contributing to his preservation. Next the spritsail- 
yard appeared in view, but covered with people; among 
whom he durst not take a place without requesting pe-- 
mission, which they cheerfully granted. Some were quite 
naked, others were in nothing except their shirts. The 
pity they expressed at the situation of Lieutenant de la 
Fond, and his sense of their misfortunes, exposed his feel¬ 
ings to a severe trial. 

Neither Captain Morin nor M. de la Touche ever quitted 
the ship, and were most probably overwhelmed in the cat¬ 
astrophe by which she was destroyed. But the most dis- 


332 


BURNING OF THE PRINCE. 


mal spectacle was exhibited on all sides. The main-mast, 
consumed below, had been precipitated overboard, killing 
some by its fall, and affording a temporary reception to 
others. Lieutenant de la Fond now observed it covered 
with people, driven about by the waves; and, at the same 
time, seeing two seamen buoyed up by a hen-coop and 
some planks, desired them to swim to him with the latter. 
They did so, accompanied by more of their comrades ; and 
each taking a plank, which were used for oars, they and 
he paddled along upon the yard, until gaining those who 
had secured themselves on the main-mast. So many alter¬ 
nations only presented new spectacles of horror. 

The chaplain was at this time on tiie mast, and from him 
Lieutenant de la Fond received absolution. Two young 
ladies were also there, whose piety and resignation were 
truly consolatory. They were the only survivors of six— 
their companions had perished in the flames or in the sea 
Eighty persons had found refuge on the main-mast, who 
from the repeated discharges of cannon from the ship, ac 
cording to the progress of the flames, were constantly ex¬ 
posed to destruction. The chaplain, in this awful condi¬ 
tion, by his discourse and example, taught the duty of re 
signation. Lieutenant de iaFond observing him loose his 
hoid on the mast, and drop into the sea, lifted him up. 
“ Let me go,” said he—•“ I am already half drowned, and 
it is only protracting my sufferings.” £k No, my friend,” 
the lieutenant replied, when my strength is exhausted, 
but not till then : we will perish together.” And in his 
pious presence lie calmly awaited death. After remaining 
Mere three hours, he beheld one of the ladies fall from the 
mast and perish. She was too remote to receive any as¬ 
sistance from him. 

But when least in expectation of it, he saw the yawl 
close at hand, at five in the afternoon. He cried to the 
men that he was their lieutenant, and requested to be al¬ 
lowed to participate in their fate. His presence was too 
necessary for them to refuse his solicitation: they needed 
a conductor, who might guide them to the land. Thus 
they permitted him to come on board, on condition that 
he should swim to the yawl. This was a reasonable stipu¬ 
lation : it was to avoid approaching the mast; else, the 


THE SHIP BLOWS UP. 


333 


rust, actuated by the same desire of self-preservation, would 
soon have overloaded the little vessel, and all would have 
been buried in a watery grave. Lieutenant de la Fond, 
therefore, summoning up all his strength and courage, was 
so happy as to reach the seamen. In a little time after¬ 
wards, the pilot and master, whom he had left on the mast, 
followed his example, and swirqming to>vards the yawl, 
were seen and taken in. /j % 

The flames still continued raging in the vessel; and as 
the yawl was still endangered by being within half a league 
of her, she stood a little to windward. Not long subsequent 
to this the fire reached the magazine ; and then to describe 
the thundering explosion which ensued is impossible. A 
thick cloud intercepted the light of the sun ; and amidst 
the terrific darkness, nothing but pieces of flaming timber, 
projected aloft into the air, could be seen, threatening to 
crush to atoms in their fall, numbers of miserable wretches 
still struggling with the agonies of death. Nor were the 
party in the yawl beyond the reach of hazard : it was not 
improbable that some of the fiery fragments might come 
down upon them, and precipitate their frail support to the 
bottom. Though the Almighty preserved them from this 
calamity, they were shocked with the spectacle environing 
them. The vessel had now disappeared ; the sea, to a 
great distance, was covered with pieces of wreck, inter¬ 
mingled with the bodies of those unhappy creatures who 
had perished by their fall. Some were seen who had been 
choked, others mangled, half consumed, and still retaining 
life enough to be sensible of the accumulated horrors over¬ 
whelming them. 

The fortitude of Lieutenant de la Fond was still pre¬ 
served, through the favor of Heaven ; and he proposed ap¬ 
proaching the wreck, to see whether any provisions, or 
necessary articles might be picked up. He and his com¬ 
panions being totally devoid of every thing, were exposed 
to the hazard of a death, even more painful than that which 
the others had suffered, in perishing of famine. But find¬ 
ing several barrels, which they hoped might contain some¬ 
thing to relieve their necessities, they experienced great 
mortification, on ascertaining that they were part of the 


• • • > i 


BURNING OF THE i-IUSt 

powder that had been thrown overboard during the con¬ 
flagration of their unfortunate vessel. 

As night approached, they providentially discovered a 
cask of brandy, about fifteen pounds of salt pork, a piece 
of scarlet cloth, twenty yards of linen, a dozen of pipe 
staves, and a small quantity of cordage. When it became 
dark, they durst not venture to retain their present station 
until daylight, without being endangered by the wreck \ 
from the fragments of which they had not then been able 
to disengage themselves. Therefore they rowed as quickly 
away as possible from among them, and bent all their care 
to the management of the yawl. 

The whole began to labor assiduously, and every article 
which could be converted to use was employed. The 
lining of the boat was tore up for the sake of the planks 
and nails ; a seaman luckily had two needles, and the linen 
afforded whatever thread was necessary ; the piece of scar¬ 
let cloth was-substituted for a sail ; an oar was erected for 
a mast, and a plank served for a rudder. The equipment 
of the boat was soon completed, notwithstanding the dark¬ 
ness of the night—at least as well as circumstances would 
allow. Yet a great difficulty remained ; for wanting charts 
and instruments, and being nearly two hundred leagues 
from land, the party felt at a loss what course to steer. 
Resigning themselves to the Almighty, they offered up fer¬ 
vent prayers for his direction. 

At length the sail was hoisted, and a favorable breeze 
soon wafted Lieutenant de la Fond from amidst the bodies 
of his miserable comrades. 

Eight days and nights the adventurers advanced without 
seeing land—naked and exposed to the scorching heat of 
the sun by day and to intense cold by night. But to re¬ 
lieve the thirst which parched them, they availed them¬ 
selves of a shower of rain, falling on the sixth, and tried to 
catch a little of it in their mouths and with their hands. 
They sucked the sail, which was wet with the rain; but 
from being previously drenched with sea water, it imparted 
a bitterness to the fresh water which it received. However, 
they did not complain; for had the rain been heavier, it 
might have lulled the wind, in the continuance of which 
they rested their hopes of safety. 


THEY DISCOVER LASD. 


335 


In order to ascertain the proper course, the adventurers 
paid daily observance to the rising and setting of the sun 
and moon ; and the position of the stars pointed out how 
they should steer. All their sustenance meantime was & 
small piece of pork once in twenty-four hours; and this 
they were even obliged to relinquish on the fourth day, 
from the heat and irritation it occasioned of their bodies. 
Their beverage was a glass of brandy taken from time to 
time, but it inflamed their stomachs without assuaging the 
thirst that consumed them. Abundance of flying fish were 
seen ; the impossibility of catching any of which only aug¬ 
mented the pain already endured ; though Lieutenant de 
la Fond and his companions tried to reconcile themselves 
to the scanty pittance that they possessed. Yet the un¬ 
certainty of their destiny, the want of subsistence, and the 
turbulence of the ocean, all contributed to deprive them of 
repose, which they so much required, and almost plunged 
them in despair. Nothing but a feeble ray of hope pre¬ 
served them under their accumulated sufferings. 

The eighth night was passed by Lieutenant de la Fond 
at the helm. There he had remained above ten hours, 
after soliciting relief, and at last sunk down under fatigue. 
Ilis miserable companions were equally exhausted, and 
despair began to overwhelm the whole. 

At last, when the united calamities of hunger, thirst, fa¬ 
tigue, and misery, predicted speedy annihilation, the dawn 
of Wednesday, the 3d of August, 175*2, showed this unfor¬ 
tunate crew the distant land. None but those who have 
experienced the like situation, can form any adequate idea 
of the change which was produced. Their strength was 
renovated, and they were aroused to precautions against 
being drifted away by the current. They reached the 
coast of Brazil, in six degrees of south latitude, and entered 
Tress on Bay. 

The first object of Lieutenant de la Fond and his com¬ 
panions, was to return thanks for the gracious protection 
of Heaven. They prostrated themselves on the ground ; 
and then in the transports of joy rolled among the sand. 

They exhibited the most frightful appearance : nothing 
human characterized them, which did not announce their 
misfortunes in glaring colors. Some were quite naked,* 


336 


BURNING OF THE PRINC E 


others had only shirts, rotten, and torn to rags. Lieutenant 
de la Fond had fastened a piece of the scarlet cloth about 
his waist, in order to appear at the head of his companions. 
Though rescued from imminent danger, they had still to 
contend with hunger and thirst; and remained in ignor¬ 
ance whether they should meet men endowed with hu¬ 
manity in that region. 

While deliberating on the course they should follow, 
about fifty Portugu se of the settlement, there established, 
advanced and inquired the cause of their presence. Their 
misfortunes were soon explained, and the recital of them 
proved a sufficient claim for supplying their wants. Deeply 
affected by the account now given, the Portuguese con¬ 
gratulated themselves that it had fallen to their lot to re¬ 
lieve the strangers, and speedily led them to their dwel¬ 
lings. On the way the seamen were rejoiced with the 
sight of a river, into which they threw themselves, plunging 
in the water, and drinking copious draughts of it to allay 
their thirst. Afterwards, frequent bathing proved one of 
the best restoratives of health, to which all resorted. 

The chief man of the place next came, and conducted 
Lieutenant de la Fond and his companions to his house, 
about half a league distant from the spot where they had 
landed. He charitably supplied them with linen shirts and 
trowsers, and boiled some fish, the water of which was 
relished as delicious broth. Though sleep was equally 
necessary as this frugal fare, the survivors having learned 
that there was a church within half a league, dedicated to 
St. Michael, repaired thither to render thanks to heaven 
for their miraculous preservation. The badness of the road 
induced such fatigue as compelled them to rest in the vil¬ 
lage where it stood ; and there the narrative of their mis¬ 
fortunes, added to the piety which they exhibited, attracted 
the notice of the inhabitants, all of whom hastened to 
minister something to their necessities. After remaining a 
short interval they returned to their host ; who at night 
kindly contributed another repast of fish. Something 
more invigorating, however, being required by people who 
had endured so much, they purchased an ox for a quantity 
of the brandy that had been saved from the wreck. 

Paraibo was distant fifteen leagues ; and they had to set 


KINDNESS OF THE PORTUGUESE. 


337 


out barefoot, and with little chance of finding suitaole pro¬ 
visions on the journey. Thus they smoke-dried their 
present store, and added a little flour to it. In three days 
they began to march, and, under an escort of three sol¬ 
diers, advanced seven leagues the first day ; when they 
were hospitably received by a person, and passed the night 
in his house. On the following evening, a serjeant and 
twenty-nine men arrived, to conduct them to the com¬ 
mandant of the fortress; who gave them a friendly recep¬ 
tion, afforded them supplies, and provided a boat to carry 
them to Paraibo. About midnight they reached the town, 
where a Portuguese captain attended to present them to 
the governor, from whom also they experienced the like 
attention. Being anxious to reach Fernambuc, to take ad¬ 
vantage of a Portuguese fleet, daily expected to sail for 
Europe, the governor, in three days more, ordered a cor¬ 
poral to conduct the party thither. But at this time Lieu¬ 
tenant de la Fond’s feet were so cruelly wounded, that he 
was scarce able to stand ; and on that account was sup¬ 
plied with a horse. In four days he arrived at Fernambuc, 
where, from different naval and military officers, he met 
with the utmost attention and consideration. He and all 
his companions got a passage to Europe in the fleet. 

Lieutenant de la Fond sailed o:_ the 5th of October, and 
reached Lisbon in safety on the 17th of December. Thence 
he procured a passage to Morlaix; where having rested a 
few days to recruit his strength, he repaired to Port POrient, 
with his health greatly injured by the calamities he had 
suffered, and reduced to a state of poverty, having, after 
twenty-eight years hard service, lost all he had in the 
world. 

By this deplorable catastrophe, nearly three hundred 
persons perished. 




WRECK 


OF 

THE SHIP ISABELLA, 

Off Hastings , on the Coast of England , in 1833. 


This wreck is still visible. She was a fine ship of 340 
tons, and offers an awful evidence of the power of nature 
over the noblest works of art. My heart still sickens with 
dismay at the recollection of the dreadful trials I have 
passed through. I have not before had health and strength 
enough to give you an outline of the particulars, and even 
now I tremble as they pass in review before me. 

All our valuable furniture, plate, books, manuscripts, 
outfit and necessaries had been put on board the Isabella 
in the docks, when she dropped down to Gravesend, where 
I joined her on the evening of Saturday the 16th of Feb¬ 
ruary, with my wife and three children, a girl of eighteen 
months, and two boys of four and six years. We were op¬ 
posed by contrary winds, and put our pilot on shore on 
Monday evening. On Tuesday the wind freshened into a 
gale; and the dreadful enervating sickness usually attend¬ 
ing these scenes, dispossessed my wife and myself of all 
energy and strength. The wind was now directly against 
us, and every hour increasing its fearful power; but our 
captain, full of intrepidity and confidence, determined to 
proceed, although he left behind a fleet of perhaps an hun¬ 
dred sail. As night closed the tempest raged yet more 
fearfully. Our gallant ship was but as a feather on the 
waves’ surface, and all was fearfully dark as any night in 
the black catalogue of tempests; the wind right ahead. 
There was equal peril now in advancing or receding. The 
captain, however, gave his orders with as much precision 



The crew of the Isabella rescued by a life-boat. 


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UISTIU.SS OF THU CAPT.UX. 


34 . 

as if he were exhibiting in a state pageant. The loud voice 
of the speaking trumpet was the only sound that could be 
heard amid the wild roar of contending elements. Between 
three and four o’clock, our captain entered the cabin: he 
spoke little. I saw the distressed workings of his mind, 
and one or two questions constituted all the interruptions 
l offered. He took brandy and water, threw oil' his satu¬ 
rated dress, and having sat a little in dry clothes, retired. 

From this time the ship seemed to me to labor and 
strain more than before, and the hurricane to drive and lay 
down the ship lower on her side; but as the captain was 
taking rest, I had fancied more security, and had lain my 
self on the floor of the cabin in the hope of getting also 
some repose. I had been lying down I suppose thirty 
minutes, when I thought I heard or felt the keel of the ship 
drag. I had been to this time sick to death. I was ex¬ 
hausted and listless, almost lifeless, when the dreadful sus¬ 
picion and announcement of “shore” alarmed me I was 
ill no more. I jumped up, and wn« r’-shinr through the 
cabin to mention my fears, when ti.e slop L^ui twice on a 
rock, and I heard the cry of, “ The ship has struck !” 1 

called the captain. The dreadful shock and loud cries of 
alarm combined to summon all on deck, excepting the la¬ 
dies and the poor children, who had been roused at last by 
the general crash; and those I would not allow to leave 
their berths, lest they might interrupt the exertions making 
above. Here, indeed, was redoubled energy. The rudder 
was unshipped when w r e first struck, and w r as abandoned. 
Now was the loud cry for the speaking-trumpet—now for 
the axes, which for a time could not be found. 1 asked if 
there were no guns, to fire signals of distress. No guns. 
No rockets to let off to acquaint the coast-guard with our 
condition. No rockets. It was manifest our captain had 
been, as Napoleon said of Massena, a spoiled child of foi- 
tune. Always happy and successful in his adventures, his 
voyages deservedly fortunate, had superseded all contem¬ 
plation of disaster. Every effort was now made, by manoeu¬ 
vring the sails, to force the ship once more to sea—and 
made in vain. We were constrained to wait until daylight 
enabled us to appreciate our real situation, and procure for 
us from the shore the necessary asisstance. 

29* 


342 


WRECK OF THE ISABEL.-A. 


It is difficult to judge of distance on water, but I believe 
we lay nearly half a mile from the beach. Every succeed¬ 
ing wave raised the ship several feet; and subsiding, we 
beat with tremendous violence on the rock. An immense 
quantity of bricks had been shipped instead of ballast. Be¬ 
tween these and the rock, the ship’s bottom might repre¬ 
sent the metal works between the anvil and the hammer ; 
and strange it would have been had it not severely suffered. 
Every wave was a fearful mountain, while the hurricane 
momentarily threatened to shiver us into atoms. Such a 
storm has not been felt on these shores during the last fifty 
years. As the ungoverned state of the rudder was now 
breaking up all within its range, the binnacles were removed 
below for security, and the rudder lashed to the boom ; but 
the cords were soon rent asunder like threads. After lying 
in this situation for nearly two hours, sometimes fancying 
we saw boats approaching to our assistance, and sometimes 
that we saw lights as signals, the dawn at length assured 
us we were descried from the shore, where we saw a gen¬ 
eral activity corresponding to the peril of our unhappy 
condition. Not a boat could, however, venture to put out 
through the frightful surf, and I own I felt little hopes of 
relief while the elements continued their frightful ravages. 
The shore was now lined with spectators, but their sympa¬ 
thy could avail us nothing. While this was our condition 
without, within the ship all was devastation. At each new 
concussion something was strained and gave way. Bed¬ 
steads, lamps, tables and trunks were hurled from side to 
side with frightful noise, which made the females believe, 
in spite of our assurances, the ship was breaking up. But 
now beamed suddenly forth in our extremity, the dawn of 
our deliverance. We had watched a team laboring along 
the beach, conveying to windward a boat. It was launched, 
and in the same moment manned. It was the God-like 
life-boat, equipped with the most intrepid crew that ever 
ieserved their country’s gratitude. In half an hour of un¬ 
equalled struggles they were alongside, and boarded us; 
and now, indeed, I saw countenances where the glad gleam 
of joy endeavored to penetrate through a mass of suffering 
and despair; but we had scarcely interchanged congratu¬ 
lations, when I was told the boat had left the ship. I could 


THE SHIV’ SI'.KING. 


343 


not believe it. I ran aloft and found it true. I felt I had 
now a duty to perform to my family; and I asked the cap¬ 
tain, if the boat were dismissed, what could be his plan 
I represented, that as our rudder was useless, he could have 
no command of the ship if she floated with the coming flood ; 
and if her bottom was pierced, of which there could be no 
doubt, we must expect that if she dipped into deep water, 
sne would fill and go down, and all would inevitably per¬ 
ish ; that it would be impossible, in her present crippled 
state, to work her into any port; and I submitted, there¬ 
fore, that our safety should be consulted above all things. 
Our captain firmly answered, our safety was his principal 
duty and first care; that I might rely on his word, that he 
would not hazard our lives ; and that if the ship was not in 
a condition to leave the shore, he would not attempt it. I 
own I returned to my family with a heavy heart to an¬ 
nounce the fearful experiment. 

The flood-tide was rolling in, and the trumpet of our 
vigilant captain was again in full activity. After many 
mighty workings, an awful blast drove us over the reef, and 
hurried us to sea. Hope beamed again, but it was found 
that the slop had made five feet of water in ten minutes. 
The signal of distress was hoisted, and every possible ef¬ 
fort made to put the ship’s head to the shore; but without 
the assistance of her rudder she was wholly unmanageable, 
and very soon became water-logged. I now caught the 
captain’s eye: he motioned me, and gave the dreadful in¬ 
telligence that the ship was sinking; and I must prepare 
my wife and children for any event. I asked how long it 
might be before she would go down. He said, “Some 
time yet.” Without making any communication, I con¬ 
veyed my family on deck, and watched the progress the 
ship visibly made in sinking. Efforts were again made to 
put the ship about, but they were fruitless. 

Happily for our safety, the life-boat, better acquainted 
with the distressing features of disaster, had kept hovering 
around. I had grieved at its dismissal, but now suddenly 
heard it hailing the captain to let go the remaining anchor. 
After dragging a little, it held on, and threw her stern 
round ; but the ship was water-logged and made little pro¬ 
gress. She was now so low that, every wave rolled in one 


344 


WRECK or THE ISABELLA. 


side and discharged itself on the other. We had thrown 
out a line to the boat, but it had quickly snapped; and we 
threw others, in the hope of keeping them at a short dis¬ 
tance. As it appeared we must in a few seconds go down, 
I was preparing cords for the safety of my family, when a 
squall, a hundred times more frightful than any that had 
yet assailed us, gave hopes, and the crew cried out, “ Now 
—now the masts must go.” But still they stood, to our 
great danger and annoyance. The ship had, however, felt 
the impulse received from the last blast, and been impelled 
forward—and now a shock succeeded which gave the glad 
auspicious tidings of shore. The men clasped their hands, 
and looked towards heaven with emotions of gratitude. 
The last nearly overwhelming gale had lifted us forward, 
and proved our deliverance. And now the exertions of 
the crew of the boat were increased tenfold, and they were 
quickly under our stern. Our intrepid captain, lashing 
himself for security, jumped over the ship’s side, and, 
though overwhelmed by every wave, called aloud for the 
children first. I had taken them below, lest the fall of the 
masts should injure them. I flew down, and in an instant 
my eldest son was in the arms of the captain. The life¬ 
boat was now riding on the brink of the w 7 avc, and now 
was lost in the abyss; but as she was descending, my son 
was caught, as the captain loosed his arm, by a dozen 
eager arms raised for his safety. The second boy met 
with more facility; and the infant was thrown and caught, 
when the whole crew, with generous sympathy, cried out, 
“ Now the mother.” The mother w r as soon with her chil¬ 
dren, and seemed to us protected by these our worldly 
saviors from destruction. The other females were then 
handed down, with a youth of fourteen; and I next fol¬ 
lowed, in agonizing anxiety to share with those I felt dearer 
to me than life, the yet remaining perils. 

Lifted sometimes mountains high, sometimes hidden 
from all view in the depths into which we descended, we 
at last reached the shore. The people upon the beach 
rushed into the surf to receive us, and braved its perils for 
our security. The boat was soon lighted, and a cart stood 
ready to convey us to an adjoining house, where dry 
clothing w^as soon exchanged for garments tong saturated 


PLUNDER. 


345 


with brine. The captain and crew were left on the wreck, 
with one passenger; and two hours elapsed before the boat 
could succeed in extricating these from the dangers assail¬ 
ing them. For a considerable period the sea had been 
covered with floating packages, carried by the storm and 
tide many miles along the beach; but at nightfall began 
the active work of plunder; and that which had resisted 
other violence, was soon conveyed away from observation. 


























EXPLOSION 


OF 

THE FRIGATE AMPHION 

In Hamoaze, in 1796 . 


It is to be remarked, that the suddenness o* the catas¬ 
trophe, when vessels perish by explosion, in general pre¬ 
clude us from obtaining any distinct and connected account 
of what has happened. Indeed it may well be conceived, 
that the irresistible violence of the incident, and the con¬ 
founding consequences which attend it, are sufficient to 
deprive the survivors of a correct remembrance of their mis¬ 
fortune in detail. 

The Amphion frigate, commanded by Captain Israel 
Pellew, after having cruised for some time in the North 
Seas, got an order to join a squadron of frigates, com¬ 
manded by Sir Edward Pellew, the captain’s brother. A 
hard gale of wind occasioning some injury to the foremast 
during her passage, obliged her to put into Plymouth. She 
lay close alongside of a sheer-hulk, taking in her bowsprit, 
with the Yarmouth, an old receiving ship, close to her, and 
both within a few yards of the dock-yard jetty. 

All of a sudden, on the 22d of September, about half 
past four in the afternoon, a violent shock, like an earth¬ 
quake, was felt at Stonehouse, the Royal Hospital, and 
town of Plymouth, by which the windows were shook in 
the houses. The Amphion appeared to rise altogether up¬ 
right from the surface of the water, until her keel almost 
came into view. Her masts, by the explosion, seemed to 
be forced up into the air, and her hull instantly sunk. To 
the spectators at a distance the sky towards the dock was 
red, as from the effect of a fire ; and the streets of the town 



HORRIBLE EXPLOSION. 


347 

were crowded by people, all running about in r sta f 9 of 
the utmost consternation. Few could explain the cause of 
it; but, after the confusion had somewhat subsided, it was 
at length discovered that the Amphion frigate had blown 
up. Though the shock was felt at a very considerable dis¬ 
tance, it is wonderful that, surrounded by the ships in 
the harbor, close alongside of the jetty, and even lashed 
to another vessel, no damage was done to any thing but 
herself. 

There, however, the effect was dreadful. As the ship 
was to put to sea next day, there were nearly an hundred 
Tien, women, and children above her complement on 
ooard, taking leave of their friends; and, besides that, there 
were two dinners given that day. 

Two successive explosions most probably took place. 
The fir-1 threw Captain Pellew, Captain Swaffield, and the 
first lieutenant, who were drinking wine together, from 
their seats, and struck them against the curlings of the 
upper-deck—by which they were in a manner stunned 
Captain Pellew, however, had sufficient presence of mind 
to fly to the cabin window’s; and, seeing the two hawsers 
one slack in the bit and the other tight, threw himself, 
with an amazing leap, which the sense of danger alone en¬ 
abled him to take, upon the latter. He was taken up by 
the boats, his face much cut by being struck against the 
carlings, and scarcely sensible. The first lieutenant saved 
himself in the same manner, being a remarkably good 
swimmer, by leaping out of the cabin window. But Cap¬ 
tain Swaffield perished. It was conjectured that he had 
been more stunned by the blow, and incapacitated from 
escaping. Ilis body was found a whole month afterwards, 
crushed between the sides of two vessels. Captain Swaf- 
field was to have sailed next day with his own ship, the 
Overysse:; and his brother, Mr. J. Swaffield, on the day of 
the accident was also to have dined on board the Amphion ; 
but some person following him on business, he returned 
when on the way, and thus escaped. 

About half an hour before the explosion of the Amphion, 
one of her lieutenants, and Lieutenant Campbell of the 
marines, got a boat at the dockyard stairs, and went off to 
the ship, intending to return to the officers at the marine 


EXPLOSION OF THE AMPHION. 


448 

barracks immediately; but the unhappy catastrophe took 
place in the interval. 

The exact number of individuals that perished is un¬ 
known, and the few survivors could give but little or no 
account of the accident. They did not exceed ten in num¬ 
ber. The fore magazine had taken fire : and three or foui 
men, who were at work in the tops, wo-e blown up, and 
fell into the water without much injury from the explosion 
These, the boatswain, another seaman, the captain, two 
lieutenants, one of the seameifs wives, and a child, were 
all who were saved. The fate of this child was singular. 
The terror of the shock having made its n other grasp it 
fast, the under part of her body was blown away, while the 
upper remained, with the child fast locked in her arms. 

In an instant the hulk to which the ship was lashed ex¬ 
hibited a horrible spectacle. The deck was covered with 
blood, mangled limbs, and entrails, blackened with gun¬ 
powder. Shreds of the Amphion’s pendant, her rigging, 
and pieces of her shattered timbers, were strewed all around. 
Most of the sufferers belonged to Plymouth and the neigh¬ 
borhood, from which the ship had originally been manned; 
and now arms, legs, and lifeless trunks, mangled and dis¬ 
figured, were collected in sacks, and carried to the hospital 
to be owned. Thither bodies still living, some with the 
loss of limbs, and others having just expired, were also con¬ 
veying ; while men, women, and children, whose sons, hus¬ 
bands, and fathers were of the number, flocked round the 
gates beseeching admittance. 

At the moment of the explosion, the sentinel at the 
cabin door happened to be looking at his watch. He felt 
it dashed from his hands—after which he became insensi 
ble. How he escaped he was altogether ignorant; never¬ 
theless he was carried on shore very little hurt. The boat¬ 
swain was standing on the cat-head, directing the men in 
rigging out the jib-boom, when he suddenly felt himself 
driven upwards, and fell into the sea. He then observed 
himself entangled among the rigging, from which he had 
some difficulty in getting clear; and being taken up by a 
boat belonging to a man-of-war, it was found that his arm 
was broken. 

One of the surviving seamen declared, that he was belov* 


ATTEMPT TO RAISE THE AMI HI ON. 


349 


when the frigate blew up, and went to the bottom in the 
null; that he recollected having a knife in his pocket, with 
which he cut his way through the companion of the gun¬ 
room, already shattered by the explosion, and letting him¬ 
self up to the surface of the water, swam unhurt ashore 
He showed the knife to the officer to whom he related the 
fact, and declared that he had been full five minutes under 
the water. 

Amidst the many conjectures formed respecting the 
cause of this unfortunate event, few were attended with 
probability. Suspicions arose that the gunner, had been 
aostracting gunpowder to sell, and had concealed what he 
could take by degrees : that thinking himself safe on a day 
that all on board were entertaining their friends, he had 
neglected to use the necessary precautions when among 
the powder. He was observed in liquor in the morning; 
and a sack was afterwards dragged up, filled with gunpow¬ 
der at bottom and biscuit at the top. 

Next day, about a foot and a half of one of the Am 
phion’s masts appeared above water at low tide, and for 
several days the dock-yard men w r ere occupied in collect¬ 
ing the shattered masts and yards, and dragging up what 
could be recovered from the wreck. On the 29th of Sep>- 
tember, part of the fore-chains, shattered and splintered, 
was hauled up, all the bolts being forced out; also the 
head and cut-water. Soon after an attempt was made to 
weigh the Amphion between tw r o frigates, the Castor and 
Ipnigenia, which were moored on each side of her. But 
only a few pieces of the ship could be got up, one or two 
of her guns, some chests and cabin furniture. Several 
bodies, and among the rest a midshipman’s, floated out, 
which were all towed by boats to the Royal Hospital stairs, 
to be interred in the burying-ground there. It was shock¬ 
ing to behold the putrid bodies which, for weeks, were 
washed out of the vessel; and when towed round by the 
boats, they would scarce keep together. Even so late as 
the 13th of November, above two months posterior to the 
melancholy event, when the Amphion was dragged round 
to another part of the dock-yard jetty, to be broke up, the 
body of a woman was washed out from between decks. 

30 


LOSS OF THE 


CUMBERLAND PACKET, - 

In the West Indies , during the dreadful Hurricant 
in 1804. 



In the dreadful hurricane which took place at Antigua, 
on the 4th of September, 1804, several vessels were lost; 
and among others, the Duke of Cumberland packet. Every 
precaution had been taken, by striking the yards and masts, 
to secure the vessel; and the cable had held so long, that 
some faint hope began to be entertained of riding out the 
gale, when several of the crew were so indiscreet as to quit 
the deck for some refreshment. No sooner had they sal 
down, than a loud groan from the rest of the crew sum- 









DESPAIR OF THE SEAMEN. 


351 


»oned tnem on deck. The captain ran forwar< , and ex* 
claimed—“ All’s now over. Lord God have mercy upon 
us!” The cable had parted: the ship hung about two 
minutes by the stream and kedge, and then began to drive 
broadside on. At this moment, the seamen, torn by des¬ 
pair, seemed for a moment to forget themselves: lamenta¬ 
tions for their homes, their wives, and their children, re¬ 
sounded through the ship. Every man clung to a rope, 
and determined to stick to it as long as the ship remained 
entire. For an hour they drifted on, without knowing 
whither. The men continued to hold fast by the rigging, 
while their bodies were beaten by the heaviest rain, and 
lashed by every wave. The most dreadful silence pre¬ 
vailed. Every one was too intent on his own approaching 
end. to be able to communicate his feelings to another ; and 
nothing was heard but the howling of the tempest. The 
vessel drove towards the harbor of St. John’s; and two 
alarm guns were fired, in order that the garrison might 
be spectators of their fate—for it was in vain to think of 
assistance. They soon drove against a large ship, and went 
close under her stern. A faint hope now appeared of being 
stranded on a sandy beach ; and the captain therefore or¬ 
dered the carpenter to get the hatchets all ready to cut 
away the masts, in order to make a raft for those who 
chose to venture upon it. The vessel however drove with 
extreme violence on some rocks, and the cracking of her 
timbers below was distinctly heard. Every hope now 
vanished, and the crew already began to consider them¬ 
selves as beings of another world. In order to ease the 
vessel, and if possible prevent her from parting, the mizen- 
mast was suffered to remain, to steady the vessel. The 
vessel had struck about two o’clock, and in half an hour 
afterwards the water was up to the lower deck. Never was 
daylight more anxiously wished for, than by the crew o. 
this vessel. After having hung so long by the shrouds, 
they were forced to cling three hours longer before the 
dawn appeared. The sea was making a complete breach 
uver the ship, which was laying on her beam ends ; and the 
crew, stiff'and benumbed, could with difficulty hold against 
the force of the waves, every one of which struck and nearly 
drowned them. 


352 


LOSS OF THE CUMBERLAND. 


The break of day discovered to *he wretched manners 
all the horrors of their situation. The vessel was lying 
upon large rocks, at the foot of a craggy overhanging pre¬ 
cipice, twice as high as the ship’s mainmast; the wind and 
rain beat upon the crew with unabated violence, and the 
ship lay a miserable wreck. The first thoughts of the crew 
in the morning were naturally directed to the possibility of 
saving their lives; and they all agreed that their only 
chance of doing so was by means of the mizen-mast. The 
top-mast and top-gallant-mast were launched out, and 
reached within a few feet of the rock. An attempt was 
made, by one of the crew, to throw a rope with a noose to 
the top of the rock ; but instead of holding by the bushes, 
it brought them away. Another seaman, who from despair 
seemed to have imbibed an extraordinary degree of courage, 
followed the first man out on the mast, with the intention 
of throwing himself from the end upon the mercy of the 
rock. He had proceeded to the extremity of the top¬ 
gallant-mast, and was on the point of leaping among the 
bushes, when the pole of the mast, unable to sustain his 
weight, gave way, and precipitated him into the bosom of 
the waves, from a height of forty feet. Fortunately he had 
carried down with him the piece of the broken mast, and 
instead of being dashed to pieces, as was expected, he kept 
himself above water until he was hoisted up. 

All hopes of being saved by the mizen-mast were now at 
an end; and while the crew were meditating in sullen si¬ 
lence on their situation, Mr. Doncaster, the chief mate, un¬ 
known to any one, went out on the bowsprit, and having 
reached the end of the jib-boom, threw himself headlong 
into the water. He had scarcely fallen, when a tremen¬ 
dous wave threw him upon the rock, and left him dry. 
There he remained motionless, until a second wave washed 
him still farther up, when clinging to some roughness in 
the cliff, he began to scramble up the rock ; and in about 
half an hour he with infinite difficulty reached the summ.t 
of the cliff. The crew anxiously watched every step he 
took, and prayed for his safety—conscious that their own 
preservation depended solely upon it. Mr. Doncaster im¬ 
mediately went round to that part of the precipice nearest 
the vessel, and received a rope thrown from lie main-top 


KINDNESS OK A MULATTO TAILOH. 


353 


which he fastened to some trees. By means of this rope 
the whole of the crew were, in the space of three hours 
hoisted to the top of the cliff. 

The wnoic of the ship’s company having assembled on 
the rock, bet.t their steps towards town. The plain before 
them had, in consequence of the heavy rains, become 
almost impassable; but after wading about three miles 
through fields of canes, and often plunged up to the neck 
in water, they reached St. John’s in safety; where they 
would have died for want of food and necessaries, had it 
not been for the kind offices of a mulatto tailor, who sup¬ 
plied them with clothes, beds, and provisions, and did them 
other kind offices of humanity. 







NARRATIVE 


OF 


THE SHIPWRECK 


OF 


ARCHIBALD CAMPBE1 L, 

On the Island of Sannac , near the North-West Coast 
of America; with an Account of the Voyage and 
Shipwreck of the Long-boat , and Suffer mgs of the 
Author. 



Early in May, 1806, I entered as seaman on board the 
Thames Indiaman, at London, on a voyage to China ; and 


















JUiKAKUflS. 


355 


arrived at Canton in January, 1807. I deserted from the 
Thames, and shipped on board the American ship Eclipse, 
of Boston; a new ship, on her first voyage, commanded 
by Captain Joseph O’Kean. She was chartered by the 
Russian American Company, for their settlements at Kams- 
chatka, and the north-west coast of America, with a cargo 
of nankeens, tea, silks, sugar, rice, and other articles, the 
produce of China. The number of the crew, including of¬ 
ficers, amounted to twenty-eight; four or five of which 
were procured from the Indiaman. There was also a 
Russian supercargo. 

We arrived at Kamschatka in July, where we discharged 
nearly one-third of our cargo. We left this place on the 
8th of August, and proceeded on our \oyage to the north¬ 
west coast of America. Nothing material occurred till the 
10th of September. On the morning of that day it blew 
hard from the south, and the ship was reduced to close 
reefed topsails. About three in the afternoon, the gale 
increased to such a degree, that it became necessary to take 
in the fore and mizen top-sails. Whilst the men were on 
the yards, they discovered land olF the lee bow, distant 
about five or six leagues. We conjectured it to be that part 
of the continent called Aliaska. The ship’s course was 
immediately altered from noith-east to east; and the wea¬ 
ther proving more moderate in the evening, stood on, close 
hauled, but did not set more sail. About ten at night, the 
alarm was given, that there were breakers ahead, and on 
the lee bow. Mr. Brinkman, the chief mate, who had the 
charge of the watch, immediately went to the mizen top¬ 
mast head ; and observing there was room to w'ear the 
ship, hastened below to report the circumstance to the cap¬ 
tain. When he returned upon deck, he instantly went to 
the w heel, and ordered us to our stations, with the inten¬ 
tion of wearing; but the captain, w r ho followed him, was 
of a different opinion. lie said what he saw w r as only 
white water, and not breakersthat there w r as no danger, 
and ordered us to stand on our course. He had scarcely 
given this order before the ship plunged, and struck with 
such violence as to knock away the fore-foot; and the watch 
below were driven from their hammocks against the deck. 
The sea running very high, she beat so hard that in a few 


356 


SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 


minutes the rudder was unshipped, and the stern-post 
forced up through the poop. As she still had way upon 
her, she shot over the reef into deep water. Upon sound¬ 
ing we found seventeen fathoms. It was immediately de¬ 
termined to let go the anchor, and remain by the ship as 
long as she would swim. In case she went down, we 
hoped to save our lives by the long-boat, which was accord • 
ingly cleared and hoisted out, that she might be ready. 
Seven of the guns were at the same time thrown overboard, 
in order to keep her above water until daylight. The car¬ 
penter attempted to sound the well; but, owing to some 
obstruction, couia not get down the sounding-rod. I was 
sent below with him to bore a hole beside the pump through 
the lower deck ; but on taking off the after hatch, we found 
the water as high as the shifting boards. 

Early on the morning of the 11th, to our great joy, we 
saw land to the leeward of us, distant about three or four 
leagues. It was immediately determined to watch the lull, 
slip the cable, and cast the ship’s head in shore, and steei 
her for it with the jib and fore-top-sail. After she was 
under weigh, the captain ordered, that any of the crew that 
could not swim should go into the long-boat astern, and be 
ready as soon as she struck to come alongside for the rest, 
as he expected that she would then go to pieces. As soon 
as she struck, all hands came into the boat, and went for 
the shore, the captain taking his quadrant, until the tide 
should ebb, when he expected she would be nearly dry. 
We landed between eleven and twelve o’clock in the fore¬ 
noon. 

The land upon which we were thrown presented a most 
dreary appearances it was an extensive plain, intersected 
by pools of fresh water, stretching about five miles from 
the sea, and terminating by two mountains. The ground 
was covered with heath and moss; not a tree nor a bush 
was to be seen ; neither did we observe the least trace of 
human habitations. As the land afforded us no sustenance, 
we turned our attention to the sea, and when the tide 
ebbed found some large muscles. Having satisfied our 
hunger with some raw muscles, we prepared to go off to 
the ship; but on our way off we had the mortification to 
sec her fall over on her beam ends. When we reached the 


VISIT THE WRECK. 


357 


ship, we found that we could do noth ng with her; and 
were preparing to leave her, when we discovered in the 
bottom of the long-boat the carpenter’s axe. We then cut 
the parrel and gear of the main-top-sail yard, and let it 
drive clear of the wreck; while we went to cut away the 
topmasts, and then left her for that day. On our way 
ashore we found the main-top-sail yard, and took it in tow ; 
and landed again about six o’clock in the evening. The 
approach of night rendering some shelter necessary, we 
made a sort of tent with a sail, and lay down on the moss, 
cold and wet, and spent a most uncomfortable night. 

Next morning, the 12th, we set oft' along shore, in search 
of any thing that might have driven from the ship; and 
found, in a bay at no great distance from our tent, a barrel 
of rosin, the arm-chest, with one or two small carbines, 
some swan shot, and, what was of greater consequence to 
us, several caulking irons and mallets. On finding these, 
we went to the ship; but the sea was »o high we could 
not come near her, and we returned to our tent. 

On the 13th, 14th, and 15th, we were employed in re¬ 
pairing the boat, which had begun to get very leaky. 
Having picked some oakum, we caulked the seams as well 
as we could. Over the places where this was insufficient, 
we nailed pieces of boards, and caulked round the edges. 
Although we could not pay the seams, having nothing to 
melt our rosin in, we succeeded in making her tolerably 
tight. 

On the 16th, several pieces of wreck, and some sails 
were secured. This day was chiefly employed in prepara 
tions for going oft’ to the wreck. We formed a grappling 
iron by lashing four bolts together, and bending them ; and 
made a line out of the rigging that came ashore with the 
spars. This proved of great service in fishing up articles 
from the wreck. Every thing being ready, and the 17th 
proving fine, we set off at day-break ; and taking the car¬ 
penter’s axe with us, we cut a large hole in her side, just 
before the main channels. With the grappling irons we 
hooked several sails, and a number of other articles, such 
as boxes of silks and nankeens; and made three different 
trips to the wreck this day. 

On the 18th we were busy in making a larger tent with 


i3o SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBALD CA ‘iPBEIA* 

the sails we had got. We set up two small spars at each 
end, and laid a studding-sail boom across the top of them. 
Over this we spread a top-sail, hung smaller sails at the 
ends, and placed planks round the bottom, to prevent them 
from being blown up by the wind. With the soft moss of 
the island for beds, and planks to sit upon, we now fount! 
ourselves pretty comfortable in every respect but one—all 
our attempts to kindle a fire proved unavailing, and we 
were obliged to eat our victuals raw. Observing a flight of 
large birds, resembling ravens, carrying something in their 
talons, we watched where they alighted ; and, going to the 
spot, found several parcels of pork and beef which they had 
picked up, the barrels being staved by the rocks. In this 
manner we procured about a dozen of pieces. We again 
went off to the wreck in the afternoon, to see what we 
could get on shore, as it had every appearance of a gale of 
wind ; and managed to get three of our chests out of the 
vessel before dark, and among them mine. It contained 
only one shirt and my Bible, which I had put into one of 
those squares, common in sailors’ chests, for holding case 
bottles, and in which it was firmly fixed, in consequence of 
having swelled with the water. I was at great pains in 
drying it in the sun, and succeeded so well that I could 
read any part of it. It was afterwards saved from a second 
wreck ; and in my future hardships and sufferings, the pe¬ 
rusal of it formed my greatest consolation. It is still in 
my possession, being the only article I brought with me 
when I returned to my native country. 

We also secured this day, a barrel of fine biscuit: it was 
soaked with salt water, but was, nevertheless, a most ac¬ 
ceptable addition to our store. In the night, between the 
ISth and 19th, it blew so hard from the south, that the 
ship went to pieces before morning. At day-break, we dis¬ 
covered on a small isle, separated from the land by a chan¬ 
nel which was dry at low water, the fore part of the ship, 
which had driven high upon the beach. Had we been able 
to have moved it to a better situation, it would have made 
an excellent hut; but this was beyond our strength. It 
was broken up, and gradually removed when we had 
time. Some more fragments of the wreck, consisting of 
knees and planks, came on shore this day. We also%cv 


VISITED BY INDIANS 35S 

covered a few packages of nankeens and chests of tea, 
which we spread on the moss to dry. 

Our horizon to the south being interrupted by the reef 
the captain and mate went out in the long-boat, to deter¬ 
mine the latitude by a meridian altitude of the sun. The 
result of the observations gave 54 deg. 52 min. north, as 
the latitude of the south side of the island. 

We made a number of trips to the wreck in the course 
of the ten following days, and saved a considerable part of 
the cargo, consisting of chests of tea, packages of nankeens, 
and bags of rice. The last time we went off to the wreck, 
before the arrival of the Indians, the wind was off shore, 
and began to blow so fresh that we were obliged to desist 
from our labors. After having secured a few more sails, 
some coils of cordage, and two bales of silks, having opiy 
two oars and a heavy boat to row, we reached the shore 
before dark, after a most fatiguing pull. By this time so 
much of the wreck was recovered, that we determined to 
build a vessel large enough to carry us to the Sandwich 
Islands, where we were sure of meeting with an American 
ship. Our principal attention was now turned to that ob¬ 
ject ; and we began our preparations by collecting into one 
place planks and other pieces of wood for the purpose. 

Our necessary occupations, and the unpromising appear¬ 
ance of the country, had hitherto prevented us from leav¬ 
ing the neighborhood of our hut; but we had seen nothing 
that led us to imagine that the island was inhabited. We 
were, however, visited on the 28th by a party of natives, 
who had traced the fragments of wreck along shore. 

About mid-day we saw them approach in three small 
skin canoes, with one Indian in each. One of them, who 
had a gold medal about his neck, came forward, and ad¬ 
dressed us in the Russian language. The captain, who 
had made a former voyage to these settlements, and under¬ 
stood a few words of the language, contrived to make our 
situation known to him. He immediately dispatched one 
of his companions to a village on the northern part of the 
island for assistance, and the other to Oonalaska, to give 
information to the commandant of the Russian settlements 
on that island. 

Next day, about forty Indians, men and women, came 


360 SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBI LL. 

and encamped beside us. They made huts for themse vej, 
by setting up planks, leaning against each other at the top* 
and throwing earth upon them, over which they put a cov¬ 
ering of grass. 

They brought a supply of provisions, consisting of ber¬ 
ries, oil, blubber, and dried salmon ; and gave us a share 
of all they had with the greatest liberality. 

By the assistance of the Indians, who towed our boat 
with their canoes, we made two more trips to the wreck, 
and were successful in saving a considerable quantity of the 
cargo, as well as several articles of greater use to us for our 
intended vessel ; such as bolts of canvas, cordage, and 
other naval stores, being part of the rigging of the ship 
that was stranded in the harbor of St. Peter and St. Paul. 
In saving these articles, the grappling-irons proved of the 
greatest service; for though the wreck lay in about three 
fathoms, the water was so clear, when the wind was south¬ 
erly, that we could distinctly see what lay at the bottom. 
A considerable part of the ship still held together. 

In about a week after this, Mr. Bander, the Russian 
commandant of Oonalaska, arrived in a large skin canoe or 
baidare, with twenty or thirty Indians, who also hutted 
themselves beside us. The presence of so many visitors 
lormed a singular contrast to the solitude in which we had 
hitherto lived. Our tent was now in the centre of a busy 
and populous village. 

Our chief attention was now turned towards our vessel, 
and we had a reasonable prospect of completing her by the 
aid of our visitors. 

From Oonalaska we procured twelve Indians who could 
?ise the axe ; and Mr. Bander promised us the assistance 
of Russian carpenters from Kodiak. To obtain which, as 
well as to report the loss of the ship to the governor of the 
Russian settlements, the long-boat was fitter out for a 
voyage to Kodiak. About the 6th of November the neces¬ 
sary repairs were begun. 

The seams were payed with a composition of the rosin 
that had been saved from the wreck, and train oil, boiled 
to a consistence in the kettles of the Indians. A kind of 
spar deck was formed, by laying the boards of the hat 
boxes over the thwarts; and upon these we nailed a tar- 


LEAVE THE ISLAND. 


361 


paulin. A hatch-way was left at the stern, by which we 
got below, and in which the man at the helm could stand 
We laid a small platform on the bottom, and covered it 
with skins. This formed a berth into which one could 
creep, but it was too low to allow us to sit upright. Out 
of the ship’s spanker 1 made a suit of sails. She w as rigged 
a sloop, and provided with a cable and grapnel. She was 
small enough for a voyage of five hundred miles at such a 
season, being only twenty-two feet long, and measuring 
about six ton. She, however, proved an excellent sea 
boat. 

Every thing being completed by the 17th, we laid in our 
stores, consisting of dried salmon, berries, and oil, with a 
cask of water ; and sailed on the following morning. The 
crew consisted of Mr. Bertram, second mate, myself, and 
seven more of the crew, and one Indian, who acted as 
pilot. 

The island on which we had now remained two months, 
is called by the natives Sannack : by Captain Cook it is 
named Halibut Island. It is situated in latitude 54 deg 
27 min. north, longitude 197 deg. east, and lies ten or 
twelve leagues to the south of the promontory of Aliaski, 
and about sixty east of Oonalaska. It is quite flat, with 
the exception of two mountains ; is eight or ten miles long, 
and about six broad. The main land could be distinctly 
seen ; and the remarkable volcano mentioned by Captain 
Cook, bore north-north-west from our tent. It was con¬ 
stantly smoking during the day, and at night we could fre¬ 
quently see the flames. 

The land produces nothing eatable but berries. To the 
south lies the dangerous reef upon which we were wrecked. 
It is of great extent; for when at the ship, we observed 
breakers a considerable distance to the southward. 

There is a village of twelve or fifteen Indian families at 
the northern extremity of the island. These people aie 
under the government of the Russians, for whom they pro¬ 
vide furs for the American company. They are quite an in¬ 
offensive race, converts to the Greek church ; and if not 
very devout, are at least very attentive to the ceremonial 
part of crossing themselves. 

Their appearance and manners will be afterwards more 

31 


362 


SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 


particularly described. As the whole of their sustenance, 
clothing, and indeed every article they make use of, except 
a few berries, are the produce of the sea, they are extreme¬ 
ly expert in managing their canoes, and most ingenious in 
their modes of catching fish and other sea animals. They 
are excellent marksmen with the rifle and spear. To the 
latter they fix a bladder, which prevents the wounded ani¬ 
mal from taking it under water; and dart it with great 
force and certainty by means of a throwing stick. 

Like all other savages I have seen, they are immoderate¬ 
ly fond of spirits and tobacco. 

We sailed from Sannack, in the long-boat, on the morn¬ 
ing of the 18th of November; but had scarcely been an 
hour at sea, before we discovered a leak in the counter, 
which forced us to put back. 

Having repaired the damage, we again set sail nex 
morning, with a fair southerly wind. Our little vessel made 
better weather than could have been expected; and so 
long as it continued moderate, she scudded before the sea 
perfectly dry. We boomed out the fore-sail on the weathei 
side, and the wind being fair, proceeded on our voyage at 
a great rate. About noon it freshened into a smart gale, 
and the sea rose considerably, frequently curling over the 
stern in an alarming manner. Our open cock-pit rendered 
this extremely dangerous; till we adopted an expedient, of 
which I fortunately recollected having read in the voyages 
of some Dutch navigators, who used oil to smooth the sea. 
Upon trying the experiment, it proved an effectual remedy. 
We lashed a keg of oil upon the taflrail, allowing a small 
stream to run from it, which spread a scum over the sur¬ 
face in our wake, and completely prevented the waves 
from topping. 

About ten at night we were close in with an island ot 
considerable height, and attempted to pass leeward ; but 
were prevented by breakers, which obliged us to tack and 
pass on the outside. A round lofty rock lies a quarter ol 
a mde to the south-west. The channel within seemed also 
full of rocks; and we were obliged to make another tack 
before we could weather it. Our situation, for about two 
hours after this, was very alarming: we passed many sunk 
rocks, and were repeatedly obliged to tack in order to 
avoid them. 


FORCED BACK BY ADVERSE WINIDS. 


363 


At day-break we found ourselves near a barren island 
four or five miles in length, lying to the south of a larger 
one named Ungar. We passed through the sound between 
them ; and coasting along the southern shore of Ungar, 
arrived about 10 A. M. at a village, situated upon the 
eastern part of the island, after a run of a hundred and 
sixty miles. 

We found the settlement here in the most distressing 
situation. The whole of the male inhabitants, except the 
Russian overseer and his son, and the Indian interpreter, 
having gone out to catch seals, about three weeks before 
this time, a severe gale of wind came on, which their slight 
canoes were unable to resist; and every one of them per¬ 
ished. This dreadful calamity did not prevent the sur¬ 
vivors from receiving us with the kindest hospitality. We 
were lodged in the hot bath, which was effectually warmed 
by the steam of water thrown upon red hot stones. 

Ungar is nearly twenty miles in length. In the interior 
the country rises into lofty mountains: near the sea it is 
more level, and is covered with brushwood ; but produces 
no vegetable food except berries, and a root from which 
the Russians make the liquor called quass. We remained 
eight days at this place, during which we went out several 
times to shoot deer, with which the island abounds, accom¬ 
panied by the son of the overseer and the interpreter. We 
had tolerable sport, and the venison made a most accepta¬ 
ble addition to our store. 

The natives seem, in all respects, the same as those at 
Sannack. The settlement consisted of one Russian and 
about thirty Indian families. The houses of the latter were 
built of mud, in the form of a bee-hive, with a hole at the 
top instead of a door. They had no fire-places, but warmed 
themselves by means of lamp^ made out of flat hollow 
stones, with rush wicks ; which, when cold, they placed 
under their frocks. One cooking place served for the 
whole village. 

We sailed on the morning of the 28th, with the wigd at 
north-west, and steered between the main land and a small 
isle to the east of Ungar. Before we reached the open sea, 
the wind headed us, and blew with such violence, as to 
force us back to the harbor we left in the morning. Gales 


36*4 


SHIPWRKCK OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 


from the north-east, with heavy falls of snow, prevented tts 
from sailing for the eight following days. I employed my¬ 
self in making a square-sail out of a bolt of canvas we had 
for the purpose. Having laid in a store of deer’s flesh, 
dried and boiled, the only provisions the place afforded, we 
again sailed on the morning of the Gth of December—the 
wind strong from the west, with squalls, accompanied with 
snow showers. The excessive cold made us feel severely 
the want of a caboose, or fire-place, in the boat. 

Soon after, whilst crossing a deep bay, the wind chopped 
round to the north-west, and blew so hard at times as to 
oblige us to take in all our sails. We endeavored to run 
under the west point of the bay, where there seemed to be 
good shelter; but we fell to leeward, and were under ap¬ 
prehensions that we should not be able to weather the 
point that formed its eastern extremity. Mr. Bertram pro¬ 
posed to run the boat ashore ; but the surf was so heavy, 
that the attempt would have been extremely hazardous. I 
was of opinion that we might weather the point by carry¬ 
ing sail; and he allowed me to take the helm. Having set 
our close-reefed main-sail and storm-jib, the whole crew, 
except myself, went below, and lay as much as possible to 
the weather side; by which means the boat was enabled to 
carry sail till we cleared the head. After this we had the 
wind upon our quarter; and the evening proving fine, we 
made great progress. 

The channel or strait, which separates Kodiak from the 
continent, is about fifteen leagues in breadth ; and, as far 
as I could judge, is free from danger, except close in shore. 

We entered by moonlight the strait between Kodiak and 
several smaller islands to the east, with a strong tide in our 
favor; and*were clear of it before daylight. 

Being in want of water, we landed early in the morning, 
and having kindled a fire, had a warm breakfast before em¬ 
barking. The country here was well wooded with pines; 
but we saw no inhabitants. We made sail about eleven 
and entered the harbor of Alexandria before dark. We 
hoisted a Russian jack which we had on board, upon 
which a Baiderai came off and towed us in. There were 
two ships and a brig at anchor in the bay. 

Alexandria is the principal Russian settlement in the 


PREPARATIONS FOR A RETURN. 


365 


Fox Islands, and tho residence of the governor; upon 
whom we waited immediately upon our landing, with our 
etters from Mr. Bander. 

He gave each of us a tumbler of brandy, and sent us to 
the cazerne, or barracks, where the Russian convicts lodged. 

The brig which lay in the harbor was ordered to be litted 
out for Sannack, for the purpose of taking in that part of 
the- cargo of the Eclipse which had been saved from the 
wreck. As it would take a considerable time before she 
could be got ready, the governor ordered us to return in 
the boat, with the carpenter and tools required for our ves¬ 
sel, that no time might be lost. 

We remained here three weeks, and during that time we 
were employed in preparations for our return. The boards 
we had nailed on the boat’s bottom were stripped off, and 
she was thoroughly repaired by the Russian carpenters. A 
caboose for our fire was made, by sawing a cask in two, 
and filling it with gravel, and secured by lashing it to the 
mast. We also provided ourselves with a compass, the 
want of which we had experienced in our voyage thither; 
our view of the land having been almost constantly inter¬ 
cepted by fogs and snow showers. 

Mr. BaranofF, the governor, gave us a chart of the Fox 
Islands and adjoining continent; and furnished us with 
letters, in case we should find it necessary to touch at any 
of the Russian settlements. He also sent three carpenters 
to assist in the construction of our vessel. 

By the 8th of January, 180S, every thing was completed ; 
and we had laid in a good stock of provisions, consisting 
of salted pork and bear’s flesh, two skin bags of rusk, two 
casks of water, and a keg of rum, with preserved berries 
and blubber for the Indians. 

We quitted the harbor of Alexandria on the morning of 
the 9th of January (O. S.), on our voyage back to Halibut 
Island. 

With a fine breeze of southerly wind we coasted along 
the north-east shore of Kodiak, leaving on our right a clus¬ 
ter of islands which lie to the eastward. Upon the largest, 
which is called Afognac, I was informed there are several 
Russian settlements. 

This is the finest part of the island I have seen, the 
31* 


366 


SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 


country being covered with wood, chiefly of the pine tribe, 
and many of the trees of great size. The other islands are 
also well wooded. 

In the evening the wind died away, and the tide turned 
against us when nearly half way through the straits. We 
anchored for the night in a cove on the larboard side. 

Next morning, at daylight, we weighed with a stiong 
breeze from the east, which soon carried us clear to the 
strait. Upon reaching the open sea, we shaped our course 
to the north-west. 

The headland or cape, which forms the extremity on the 
starboard hand, is perfectly level on the summit for nearly 
a mile, and terminates in a lofty perpendicular cliff. 

On the following day the wind changed to the north¬ 
west, and blew hard, with a heavy sea. As it was directly 
against us, with every appearance of a gale coming on, we 
were obliged to bear away for a harbor. At noon, we 
reached a well sheltered bay, on the northern side of Ko¬ 
diak. From the threatening appearance of the weather, it 
was judged prudent to haul the boat on shore; and there 
being no habitations within reach, we were under the ne¬ 
cessity of living on board. 

The bay was surrounded by high mountains, with a 
rocky shore, except at our landing place, where there was 
a small extent of sandy beach. The whole country was, 
at this time, many feet deep with snow, which prevented 
vis from making any distant excursions. At this place we 
were forced by the weather to remain ten days. 

The dread of famine at last obliged us to put to sea, al¬ 
though the state of the weather was by no means favorable 
for the prosecution of our voyage. The surrounding 
country produced no food of any kind, and our stock of 
provisions was nearly expended. We left the bay, in hopes 
of reaching a settlement called Karlouski, which lay at no 
great distance to the west. 

We launched the boat on the morning of the 21st, and 
stood over towards the main land. When about mid¬ 
channel, we discovered that the boat had sprung a leak 
at the same time a heavy fall of snow came on, accompan¬ 
ied with violent squalls. The leak gained so much upon 
us, that it became absolutely necessary to run for the near- 


WRECK OF Tilt: BOAT 


36*7 


est shore. Had the day been clear, we might have got 
back to the harbor we had quitted in the morning ; but the 
snow rendered it so dark, that we could scarcely see a 
boat’s length ahead. We had therefore no resource but to 
put befote the wind, and trust our lives to Providence. 

The first view we had of the shore was most alarming: 
we were completely embayed, with a heavy surf breaking 
amongst the rocks; whilst, at the same time, the violence 
of the gale, and the state of the boat, were such as to pre¬ 
clude any hopes of working out of the bay. We therefore 
turned the bow to that part of the shore which seemed 
clearest of rocks ; and a sea carried us so far up, that when 
it retired we were left almost dry. The next wave carried 
us a little further, upon which the second mate imprudently 
let go the anchor. When it retired, we all jumped out, 
and reached the shore in safety. Upon the return of the 
swell, the boat swung round, with her head to the sea; and 
being prevented by the anchor from driving farther up, she 
almost immediately went to pieces upon the rocks. 

That part of the island on which we were cast was quite 
barren, and many miles distant from the nearest settlement; 
the path to which lay across mountains covered with snow. 

After collecting what we could save of the wreck of the 
boat, we set out in search of some place to shelter us for 
the night; and fortunately discovered at no great distance, 
one of those huts that are constructed for the use of the 
fox and bear hunters. It was too small to admit of a fire 
in the inside; but the number of people crowded into it, 
rendered the cold less intense; and we lighted a fire in the 
open air, at which we made ready our provisions. 

Upon examining our remaining stock, we found, that 
with the utmost economy, it would not last above three or 
four days. It became, therefore, necessary to form some 
plan to extricate ourselves from so deplorable a situation. 

The bay in which we were wrecked was surrounded with 
high mountains, which ran down to the shore, terminating 
in ;i steep range of rocks, or what sailors call an iron-bound 
, coast. Karlouski, the nearest settlement, lay, as we were 
informed by our Russian companions, at a considerable 
distance to the west. We deliberated whether we should 
attempt to reach it by crossing the mountains, or by going 


^68 SHIPWRECK. OF ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL, 

along shore at low water. The clanger and difficulty ol 
making our journey over the snow, deterred us from adopt¬ 
ing the first plan; we therefore fixed on the latter, and 
determined to set out on our journey next morning. 

On the morning of the 22d we quitted the hut, leaving 
one of the Russians and our Indian pilot to take charge oi 
what we had saved from the boat. 

Having proceeded some distance, we were interrupted 
by a reef of rocks, over which it was necessary to wade. I 
was provided with strong seal-skin boots ; but unfortunate¬ 
ly, in crossing they were filled with water ; which, the cold 
being so severe, the exercise of walking did not prevent 
from freezing. In a short time I lost all feeling in my feet, 
but was able to keep up with my companions, till our pro¬ 
gress along shore was completely stopped by a mountain 
which projected into the sea. Finding it impossible to get 
round the base, we attempted to climb over the summit. 
It was very steep, and in many places crusted with ice. I 
had by this time entirely lost the use of my feet, and with 
all my exertions, was unable to keep pace with my com¬ 
panions. In many places I was forced to dig steps in the 
ice and snow, with a pair of boots I had on my hands for 
that purpose. At length, after great labor and fatigue, I 
gained what I imagined to be the summit. It proved, how¬ 
ever, to be little more than half way up; and the higher 
part of the mountain was quite inaccessible. I endeavored 
to descend again ; but in a short time found that the state 
of my feet rendered the attempt unavailing. I had no al¬ 
ternative but to slide down ; and, therefore, throwing away 
the boots, and placing my hands behind me, to direct my 
course, I came down with such velocity, that, at the foot 
of the hill, I sunk at least ten feet into the frozen snow. I 
was at first almost suffocated, till I made a little room by 
pressing the snow from me. I called as loud as I was able 
for assistance; but could not make my companions hear 
me, although I heard their voices perfectly well calling up¬ 
on me. I at length relieved myself, by compressing the 
snow till it became sufficiently hard to bear my weight. I 
then planted my feet into it, and reached the surface. 

We turned back, and endeavored to proceed by a valley 
which lay behind the mountain. My feet by this time were 


EXTREME DISTKEiS. 


1169 


frozen, never to recover; and I was so ill able to ascend, 
that I was frequently blown over by the wind, and some¬ 
times driven a considerable way down the hill. Exhausted 
by these fruitless trials to keep up with the rest, 1 became 
totally unable to proceed, and was left to my fate 1 laid 
myself down on the snow in a state of despair. Having 
recovered a little, I resolved to make another attempt to 
follow the track of my companions, but had not proceeded 
far, when I met them coming down the hill, which had 
proved to be impassable. 

We now set off on our return to the hut, but were soon 
interrupted by a steep rock, which the rising tide prevented 
us from passing. We had no resource but to wait till low 
water next day, and to pass the night where we were. 
This was a most unfortunate circumstance for me ; for had 
I reached the hut, and got my feet dried, they would in 
all likelihood have recovered. It blew hard, and the night 
was piercingly cold: we therefore returned to the valley, 
where there was at least some shelter from the wind. 

The Russians, who knew the effects of cold, informed 
us that the effects of lying down would be fatal. Although 
well aware of this, I was so much overcome by cold and 
fatigue, that I several times dropped asleep upon my feet; 
but my companions, who had not suffered so much, took 
care to arouse me. 

Next morning we again set off for the hut, and met with 
no interruption till we came to the reef where I had got 
my feet wet. In consequence of the high wind, the swell 
was heavier than it had been the day before ; and my feet 
w'ere so powerless, that a wave washed me completely off 
the reef into deep water. It was fortunately towards the 
shore; and on the returning wave I recovered my footing, 
and succeeded in getting over. 

I followed my companions as well as my exhausted 
strength and the state of my feet would permit; but fell 
considerably behind, and had entirely ost sight of them, 
when my progress was impeded by a projecting crag, 
through which a natural perforation formed the only pas¬ 
sage. The entrance was elevated a considerable way from 
the ground ; and that part of the rock over which it was 


370 SHIPWRECK OF ARCHIBAL D CAMPBELL 

necessary to scramble, was nearly perpendicular, a.id al 
most covered with ice. 

With a little assistance I could have easily got over; but 
situated as I was, my own exertions were of little avail 
My feet were of no use in climbing, and I was obliged to 
drag myself up by my hands, in doing which they also 
were frozen. After many ineffectual attempts, I had, as I 
thought, gained the top; but when I tried to lay hold of 
the projection in the rock, my fingers refused to perform 
their office, and I fell to the ground. 

The tide was fast rising, and the surge already washed 
the spot where I stood. In a few minutes it would have 
been too late; and I must have perished had I been obliged 
to remain another tide, with my feet and hands frozen, and 
my whole body wet. As a last resource, I collected a few 
stones, which I had just strength to pile sufficiently high to 
enable me to get over. 

This took place early in the day, and the hut was 
only a few miles farther on; but I was so much enfeebled, 
that I did not reach it till dusk. 

I never again walked on my feet; but, by the blessing 
of God, recovered the use of my hands, with the loss of 
only two fingers. 

I was treated with great humanity, upon my arrival, by 
the Russians, who had preserved their clothes dry in seal¬ 
skin bags. They gave me a suit; and having cut off my 
boots, wrapped my feet and hands in flannel drawers. I 
was laid upon a bed of dried grass, after having satisfied 
my hunger with some rusk and blubber, which were the 
only provisions that remained. 

As our stock was so low, no time was to be lost in pro¬ 
curing assistance. Accordingly, the two who had remained 
set out next morning, to endeavor to reach the settlement 
by the mountains. 

On the third day after their departure our provisions 
were completely exhausted ; but the weather had been 
tolerable, and we knew that if they succeeded, they would 
lose no time in sending us relief. 

On the ‘27th, those who had been on the look-out brought 
the joyful intelligence, that five canoes were in sight; 


FURTHER HARDSHIPS. 


371 


which proved to have been sent by our con panions, who 
had reached the village in safety. 

We quitted the hut on the 28th, in the canoes, which 
were baidarkas, with three seats in each. In crossing a 
bay we encountered a heavy sea: in order to keep me dry 
I was put below, and the hole in which I sat was stuffed 
up with the gut frock. 

It was a great relief to me when we got into smoother 
water; for the space into which I was crammed was so 
small, that I had nearly been suffocated. We arrived at 
Karlouski in the evening. 

This settlement consisted of about thirty Indian families, 
and several Russians. The latter lived together in a caz- 
erne, and the Indians in huts, which at this place were 
built of logs, wood being plenty. I was carried to the caz- 
erne, where I was laid upon a bed of skins, and treated 
with the utmost attention; but as the place afforded no 
medical assistance, my feet and hands began to mortify, 
and my health was hitherto so much impaired, that I wa9 
frequently in a state of delirium. 

We remained here till about the 25th of February, when 
we took our passage in a baiderai, or large skin-boat, bound 
to Alexandria, with a cargo of furs, berries, oil and fish 
They had for provisions the salmon roe, preserved in train 
oil, and kept in bladders. This was by them esteemed a 
delicacy, but it was too strong for my stomach. 

The first niffht we landed at a village constructed differ¬ 
ently from any I had hitherto seen. The whole of the 
houses except the roofs, were under ground, and commu¬ 
nicated with each other by a subterraneous passage. Bad 
weather, and contrary winds, detained us at this place 
eleven days. 

We sailed again on the 7th of March. The wind being 
fair, we hoisted a square-sail, and ran before it at a great 
rate. There is a group of small islands abreast of the 
south point of North Island, at which place the tides meet, 
causing a heavy breaking sea; and as the baiderai was 
deeply loaded, it had a frightful appearance. The frame 
of the vessel was so extremely slight, that when between 
the waves she was bent into a deep curve, and whilst on 
the top of the wave the two ends were as much depressed. 


372 


SHIPWRECK OP ARCHIBALD CAMPBELL. 


I was in constant apprehension that the frame would give 
way. She, however, went through the sea dryer than a 
stiller vessel would have done ; and we reached the harbor 
of Alexandria on the 9th, without any accident. 

Upon our arrival at Alexandria, I was immediately car¬ 
ried to the hospital. The surgeon, on examining my feet, 
found them in a state of mortification. He used poultices 
of rye, and other applications, for several days, in hopes of 
effecting a cure. On the second day he cut off one of my 
fingers. I lost a joint of another, but all the rest recovered. 

Finding no favorable symptoms in my feet, he informed 
me that 1 must submit to lose them in order to save my 
life. I had no idea that the case was so hopeless, and was 
not prepared for such an alternative. I requested three 
days to consider. At the end of that time I told him I had 
made up mind, and would submit to the operations. Ac¬ 
cordingly, he amputated one of them on the fifteenth of 
March, and the other on the seventeenth of April follow¬ 
ing. Unfortunately for me he cut them off below the ankle 
joint, from a wish to take as little away as possible: the 
sores extended above the place, and have never completely 
healed. By the month of August I could creep about on 
my hands and knees. 

My case excited great compassion, and a subscription 
was raised for me by Governor Baranoff, and the officers oi 
tne ships that lay in the harbor, which amounted to one 
nundred and eighty rubles. 

From this place Mr. Campbell went to the Sandwich 
Islands, where he resided some time; and then procured 
a passage to Europe, and at length arrived at his native 
place in Scotland in safety. 








LOSS 


or 

THE SHIP LOGAN, 

By Fire . 


The ship Logan, Captain Bunker, was struck by light¬ 
ning, and consumed on her passage from Savannah to 
Liverpool, on the 19th of December, 1832. The following 
account of this dreadful accident was furnished by the 
captain. 

The Logan left Tybee on the 16th of December, with a 
fair wind from south, which continued blowing a heavy 
gale from westward until the 19th, on which day, at forty- 
five minutes past one o’clock, P. M. she was struck by 
lightning, which descended the starboard pump: from 
thence it passed up the after hatchway and went off. It 
was immediately observed that the ship was on fire; and 
the crew commenced breaking out cotton from the main 
hatchway, for the purpose of extinguishing it. In the 
course of half an hour, got into the lower hold ; and on the 
starboard side of the pump well found the cotton on fire. 
They commenced throwing on water, and heaving the cot¬ 
ton overboard, first cutting the bales in pieces. After 
working in this way for some time, and heaving overboard 
eight or ten bales, it was found that the fire was raging 
between decks on the larboard side. They then left the 
lower hold, and commenced breaking out between decks, 
and in a short time broke out twenty or thiity bales; but 
the smoke became so suffocating, as to oblige the hands to 
leave the hold and close the hatches. 

It was now' night, and the ship was under close reefed 
top-sails. After all the hatches were closed up, the upper 



374 


LOSS OF THE LOGIN BY FIRE 


decks began to grow hot. With the determination, there¬ 
fore, to save the ship and cargo if possible, holes were cut 
around the pumps and capstern, and water poured down, 
which was continued all night. At daylight found that all 
the upper deck, from the main-mast to the after hatch, was 
on fire, and in some places the deck had burnt througn. 
The main hatches were taken off, and about one hour was 
spent in heaving down water, when the smoke became so 
dense that the men could stand it no longer. The hatches 
were then closed for the last time, and they continued 
throwing water through the holes that were cut, the tire 
still gaining so fast that no hope was left of saving the 
ship. 

The long-boat was now ordered out, and sixty gallons 
of water, and what provisions could oe obtained, put on 
board, when the officers and crew, sixteen in number, em¬ 
barked in her (being in thirty-three degrees north latitude 
and sixty-six degrees west longitude), having saved nothing 
but a chronometer and quadrant, and what clothes they 
stood in. The nearest land was the island of Bermuda, 
which bore about south-east, a hundred miles distance, 
which thev endeavored to reach ; but the wind blowing 
heavy from west-south-west, .could not fetch it, but drifted 
to the eastward of it; when they fortunately fell in with the 
Grand Turk, and were rescued from a watery grave, after 
having been in the boat five days, most which time it was 
blowing a gale. Captain Madigan kindly took them on 
board, and treated them with every attention which their 
distressed situation required. 












































































r 



































































































































































































































































































































































































Shipwreck of the French Frigate MEDUSA, on the 
Bank of Arguin , off the western coast of Africa 
loith an account of the horrid sufferings of those 
ivho embarked on a raft . 



A man overboard. 


The account of the fatal wreck of the Medusa, and its 
concomitant events, furnishes a series of horrors almost un¬ 
paralleled in human suffering and atrocity. It gives a nar¬ 
rative of men, whose affections, in the day of sympathy, 
were turned to hatred, and pity converted to envy. They 
preferred their own destruction to the safety of their fellow 
sufferers ; and crushed to atoms the plank under their leet, 
which divided them from eternity, rather than allow their 
companions in misfortune the happiness of ever seeing land 
again. 

On the 17th of June, 1816, the Medusa French frigate, 
commanded by Captain Chaumareys, and accompanied by 
three smaller vessels, sailed from the island ot Aix for the 
coast of Africa, in order to take possession of the colonies 
between Cape Blanco and the Gambia, surrendered to 
France by Great Britain, agreeably to the treaty of 1814. 
[ n doubling Cape Finistcrre, a man was lost overboard. 










376 WRECK OF THE MEDESA. 

and from the apathy of his companions, and want of promp¬ 
titude in manoeuvring, was left to perish. On the tenth 
day of ner sailing, there appeared an error of thirty leagues 
in her reckoning. On the 1st of July the Medusa entered 
the tropics. The captain gave the charge of the ship to 
Monsieur Richefort; and with the principal officers and 
crew, performed the fantastic ceremonies usual on such oc¬ 
casions, with boisterous merriment, while the frigate was 
surrounded with all the unseen perils of the ocean. A few 
persons on board, aware of the danger, remonstrated, but 
without effect, although it was ascertained that the Medusa 
was on the bank of Arguin. She continued her course 
without slackening sail. Every thing denoted shallow wa¬ 
ter ; but M. Richefort persisted in saying there were one 
hundred fathoms. In that very moment six fathoms only 
were found, and the vessel struck three times, being in 
about sixteen feet of water. After several attempts to get 
the frigate afloat were made without success, it was found 
that her six boats, of different sizes, were not sufficient to 
contain all the crew, soldiers and passengers. A raft was 
constructed sixty-five feet long, and twenty-broad. But 
the only part which could be depended on was the middle, 
and that was so small that fifteen persons could not lie 
down upon it. The boats being got out, the captain was 
one of the first to leave the. frigate, by leaping out of the 
port-hole. As soon as he was in safety, he sent a boat to 
take a few, who he said still remained in the wre-ck. But 
what was the surprise of the lieutenant, when he found 
sixty men left there. All these were carried off with the 
exception of seventeen ; some of whom were drunk, and 
others refused to leave the frigate. 

The raft, after the one hundred and fifty passengers desti¬ 
ned to be its burden were on board, they stood in a parallel¬ 
ogram, without a possibility of moving; and they were up 
to their waists in water, and in constant danger of slipping 
through between the planks. 

The plan adopted was, that this raft should be taken in 
tow by the six boats. On the 5th of July, at 7 A. M., this 
desperate squadron abandoned the frigate. The weather 
was calm; the coast was known to be but twelve or fifteen 
leagues distant; and land was in fact discovered by the 
boats that very night. After proceeding about two league* 



THE HAF1 LET LOOSE. 379 

a faulty, if not treacherous manoeuvre broke the tow line 
of the captain’s boat, and all the others let loose their ca¬ 
bles. They were not driven to this measure by any new 
perils ; and the cry of “ Nous les abandonnons” which re¬ 
sounded through the line, was the yell of a spontaneous 
and instinctive impulse of cowardice, perfidy and cruelty. 
The raft then, such as we have described it, was left to the 
mercy of the waves. 

The six boats, after their treacherous exploit of slipping 
the cables, made all the way they could to the coast of 
Africa, where they arrived in safety. From the long boat 
sixty-three of the most resolute were landed with arms, to 


.Q man venturing to sea on a hen-coop. 

the north of Cape Blanco, ninety leagues from the settle¬ 
ment. The other boats lar ded at different places on the 
coast, and proceeded on the desert towards St. Louis 








330 


WRECK OP THE MEDUSA. 


From St. Louis a goalette sailed in search of the Me¬ 
dusa ; but having provisions for only eight days was forced 
to return. She put to sea again, but in such a disabled state, 
that after beating about fifteen days, she came back a sec¬ 
ond time. Ten days were employed in repairing her, and 
at length, having lost thirty-three days, she reached the 
Medusa on the fifty-second day after the frigate had 
struck on the bank of Arguin ; when, dreadful to relate, 
three miserable sufferers were found alive. The reader 
will recollect that seventeen were left on the wreck. As 
long as provisions lasted, they remained in peace. Two of 
them embarked on a raft of their own construction : the 
remains were thrown on the coast of Sahara, but the per¬ 
sons on board were never heard of more. One ventured 
to sea on a hen-coop, but sunk in sight of the frigate. 
Four remained behind, one of whom died of want. The 
other three lived in separate corners of the wreck, and 
never met but to run at each other with drawn knives. 


The following is the substance, abridged from MM. Cor- 
reard and Savigny, of what took place on the raft during 
thirteen days before the sufferers were taken up by the 
Argus brig. 

After the boats had disappeared, the consternation be¬ 
came extreme. All the horrors of thirst and famine passed 
before our imagination; besides, we had to contend with 
a treacherous element, which already covered the half of 
our bodies. The deep stupor of the soldiers and sailors 
instantly changed to despair. All saw their inevitable de¬ 
struction, and expressed by their moans the dark thoughts 
which brooded in their minds. Our words were at first un¬ 
availing to quiet their fears, which we participated with 
them, but which a greater strength of mind enabled us to 
dissemble. At last, an unmoved countenance, and our 
proffered consolations, quieted them by degrees, but could 
not entirely dissipate the terror with which they were 
seized. 

When tranquillity was a little restored, we began to 
search about the raft for the charts, the compass, and the 
anchor, which we presumed bad been placed upon it, after 
what we had been told at the time of quitting the frigate 



THEIR FIRST MEAL. 


381 


These things, of the first importance, had not been 
placed upon our machine. Above all, the want of a com¬ 
pass the most alarmed us, and we gave vent to our rage 
and vengeance. M. Corrcard then remembered that he 
htid seen one in the hands of the principal workman under 
his command. He spoke to the man, who replied, “ Yes. 
yes. I have it with me.” This information transported us 
with joy, and we believed that our safety depended upon 
this futile resource. It was about the size of a crown- 
piece, and very incorrect. Those who have not been in 
situations in which their existence was exposed to extreme 
peril, can have but a faint knowledge of the price one at¬ 
taches then to the simplest objects—with what avidity one 
seizes the slightest means capable of mitigating the rigo r 
of that fate against which they contend. The compass 
was given to the commander of the raft, but an accident 
deprived us of it for ever. It fell, and disappeared between 
the pieces of wood which formed our machine. We had 
kept it but a few hours; and, after its loss, had nothing to 
guide us but the rising and setting of the sun. 

We had all gone afloat without taking any food. Hun¬ 
ger beginning to be imperiously felt, we mixed our paste 
of sea-biscuit with a little wine, and distributed it thus pre¬ 
pared. Such was our first meal, and the best we had 
during our stay upon the raft. 

An order, according to our numbers, was established for 
the distribution of our miserable provisions. The ration of 
wine was fixed at three quarters a day. We will speak no 
more of the biscuit, it having been entirely consumed at the 
first distribution. The day passed away sufficiently tran¬ 
quil. We talked of the means by which we would save 
ourselves; we spoke of it as a certain circumstance, which 
reanimated our courage ; and we sustained that of the sol¬ 
diers, by cherishing in them the hope of being able, in a 
tihort time, to revenge themselves on those who had aban¬ 
doned us. This hope of vengeance, it must be avowed, 
equally animated us all; and we poured out a thousand 
imprecations against those who had left us a prey to so 
much misery and danger. 

The officer who commanded the raft being unable to 
move, M. Savigny took upon himself the duty of erecting 


382 


IVKECK OR THE MEDUSA. 


the mast. He caused them to cut in two one o the poles 
of the frigate’s masts, and fixed it with the rope which had 
served to tow us, and of which we made stays and shrouds. 
It was placed on the anterior third of the raft. We pul 
up for a sad the main-top-gallant, which trimmed very well, 
but was of very little use, except when the wind served 
from behind; and to keep the raft in this course, we were 
obliged to trim the sail as if the breeze blew athwart us. 

In the evening, our hearts and our prayers, by a feeling 
natural to the unfortunate, were turned towards Heaven. 
Surrounded by inevitable dangers, we addressed that in¬ 
visible Being, who has established, and who maintains the 
order of the universe. Our vows were fervent, and we ex¬ 
perienced from our prayers the cheering influence of hope. 
It is necessary to have been in similar situations, before one 
can rightly imagine what a charm is the sublime idea of a 
God protecting the unfortunate, to the heart of the sufferer. 

One consoling thought still soothed our imaginations 
We persuaded ourselves that the little division had gone 
to the isle of Arguin, and that after it had set a part of iti 
people on shore, the rest would return to our assistance. 
We endeavored to impress this idea on our soldiers and 
sailors, which quieted them. The night came without our 
hope being realized ; the wind freshened, and the sea was 
considerably swelled. What a horrible night! The thought 
of seeing the boats on the morrow, a little consoled our 
men; the greater part of whom, being unaccustomed to 
the sea, fell on one another at. each movement of the raft. 
M. Savigny, seconded by some people who still preserved 
their presence of mind amidst the disorder, stretched cords 
across the raft, by which the men held, and were better 
able to resist the swell of the sea. Borne were even obliged 
to fasten themselves. In the middle of the night die 
weather was very rough ; huge waves burst upon us, some¬ 
times overturning us with great violence. The cries of the 
men, mingled with the flood, whilst the terrible sea raised 
us at every instant from the raft, and threatened to sweep 
us away. This scene was rendered still more terrible, by 
the horrors inspired by the darkness of the night. Sud¬ 
denly we believed we saw fires in the distance at intervals. 

We had had the precaution to hang at the top of the 


THEIR SUFFERINGS IN THE NIGHT. 


383 


mast the gunpowder and pistols which we had brought 
from the trigate. We made signals by burning a large 
quantity ol cartridges. We even fired some pistols; but 
it seems the fire we saw, was nothing but an error of vision ; 
or, perhaps, nothing more than the sparkling of the waves. 

We struggled with death during the whole of the night, 
holding firmly by the ropes which were made very secure. 
Tossed by the waves from the back to the front, and from 
the front to the back, and sometimes precipitated into the 
sea, floating between life and death, mourning our misfor¬ 
tunes, certain of perishing—we disputed, nevertheless, the 
remainder of our existence, with that cruel element which 
threatened to engulf us. Such was our condition, till day¬ 
break. At every instant we heard the lamentable cries of 
the soldiers and sailors. They prepared for death, bidding 
farewell to one another, imploring the protection of Heaven, 
and addressing fervent prayers to God. Every one made 
vows to Him, in spite of the certainty of never being able 
to accomplish them. Frightful situation! How is it pos¬ 
sible to have any idea of it, which will not fall far short of 
the reality! 

Towards seven in the morning the sea fell a little, the 
wind blew with less fury; but what a scene presented itself 
to our view ! Ten or twelve unfortunates, having their in¬ 
ferior extremities fixed in the openings between the pieces 
of the raft, had perished by being unable to disengage 
themselves. Several others were swept away by the vio¬ 
lence of the sea. At the hour of repast we took the num¬ 
bers anew. We had lost twenty men. We will not affirm 
that this was the exact number; for we perceived some 
soldiers, who, to have more than their share, took rations 
for two, and even three. We were so huddled together, 
that we found it absolutely impossible to prevent this 
abuse. 

In the midst of these horrors, a touching scene of filial 
piety drew our tears. Two young men raised and recog¬ 
nized their father, who had fallen, and was lying insensible 
among the feet of the people. They believed him at first 
dead, and their despair was expressed in the most affecting 
manner. It was perceived, however, that he still breathed, 
and every assistance was rendered for his recovery in out 


384 


WRECK OF THE MEDU3A. 


power. He slowly revived, and was restored to life, and 
to the prayers of his sons, who supported him closely folded 
in their arms. Whilst our hearts were softened by this af¬ 
fecting episode in our melancholy adventures, we had soon 
to witness the sad spectacle of a dark contrast. Two ship- 
bo vs and a baker feared not to seek death, and threw 
themselves into the sea, after having bid farewell to their 
companions in misfortune. Already the minds of our 
people were singularly altered. Some believed that they 
saw land; others, ships which were coming to save us 
All talked aloud of their fallacious visions. 

We lamented the loss of our unfortunate companions. 
At this moment we were far from anticipating the still 
more terrible scene which took place on the following night. 
Far from that, we enjoyed a positive satisfaction, so well 
were we persuaded that the boats would return to our as¬ 
sistance. The day was fine, and the most perfect tranquil¬ 
lity reigned all the while on our raft. The evening came 
and no boats appeared. Despondency began again to seize 
our men, and then a spirit of insubordination manifested 
itself in cries of rage. The voice of the officers was en¬ 
tirely disregarded. Night fell rapidly in ; the sky was ob¬ 
scured by dark clouds; the wind which, during the whole 
day, had blown rather violently, became furious and swelled 
the sea, which in an instant became very rough. The pre¬ 
ceding night had been frightful, but this was more so. 
Mountains of water covered us at every instant, and burst 
with fury into the midst of us. Very fortunately we had 
the wind from behind, and the strongest of the sea was a 
little broken by the rapidity with which we were driven 
before it. We were impelled towards the land. The men, 
from the violence of the sea, were hurried from the back to 
the front. We were obliged to keep to the centre, the 
firmest part of the raft; and those who could not get there 
ulmost all perished. Before and behind the waves dashed 
impetuously, and swept away the men in spite of all their 
resistance. At the centre the pressure was such, that some 
unfortunates were suffocated by the weight of their com¬ 
rades, who fell upon them at every instant. The officers 
kept by the foot of the little mast, and were obliged every 
moment to call to those around them to go to the one or 
the other side to avoid the waves; for^the sea coming 


TllEIll DESPAIR AND PHRENZY 


;j85 


tcarly athwart us, gave our raft nearly a perptRdicula 
oosition ; to counteract which, they were forced to throw 
themselves upon the side raised by the sea. 

The soldiers and sailors frightened by their danger, 
seized on casks of wine, and drank till they were void oi 
reason. They now tried to involve all in one common 
ruin by various acts of destruction, but were prevented by 
the vigilance of the offi-cers. 

One man inspired us all with terror. This was an 
Asiatic, and a soldier in a colonial regiment. Of a colos 
sal siature, short hair, a nose extremely large, an enormous 
mouth and dark complexion, he made a most hideous ap¬ 
pearance. At first he placed himself in the middle of the 
raft, and, at each blow of his fist, knocked down every one 
who opposed him, and none durst approach him. Had 
there been six such, our destruction would have been certain. 

Some men, anxious to prolong their existence, armed 
and united themselves with those who wished to preserve 
the raft. Among this number were some subaltern officers 
and many passengers. The rebels drew their sabres, and 
those who had none armed themselves with knives. They 
advanced in a determined manner upon us—we stood on 
our defence—the attack commenced. Animated by des 
pair, one of them made a stroke at an officer—the rebe 
instantly fell, pierced with wounds. This firmness awed 
them for an instant, but diminished nothing of their rage. 
They ceased to advance, and withdrew, presenting to us 
a front bristling with sabres and bayonets, to the back part 
of the raft, to execute their plan. One of them feigned to 
rest himself on the small railings on the sides of the raft, 
and with a knife began cutting the cords. Being told by 
a servant, one of us sprung upon him. A soldier, wishing 
to defend him, struck at the officer with his knife, which 
only pierced his coat. The officer wheeled round, seized 
nis adversary, and threw both him and his comrade into 
the sea. 

There had been as yet but partial affairs—the combat 
became general. Some one cr.ed, to lower the sail: a 
crowd of infuriated mortals threw themselves in an instant 
upon the haulyards and the shrouds, and cut them. The 
fall of the mast almost broke the thigh of a captain of in 
fantry, who ell insensible. He was seized by the soldiers, 


386 WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 

who threw him into the sea. We saved him, and placed 
nim on a barrel; whence he was taken by the rebels, who 
wished to put out his eyes with a penknife. Exasperated 
with so much brutality, we no longer restrained ourselves, 
but pushed in upon them, and charged them with fury. 
Sword in hand we traversed the line which the soldiers had 
formed, and many paid with their lives the errors of tlieir 
revolt. Various passengers, during these cruel moments, 
evinced the greatest courage and coolness. 

M. Correard fell into a sort of swoon; but hearing at 
every instant the cries, “ To arms ! with us comrades ! 
we are lost!” joined with the groans and imprecations of 
the wounded and dying, was soon roused from his lethargy. 
All this horrible tumult speedily made him comprehend 
how necessary it was to be upon his guard. Armed with 
his sabre, he gathered together some of his workmen on 
the front of the raft, and there charged them to hurt no 
one, unless they were attacked. He almost always re¬ 
mained with them; and several times they had to defend 
themselves against the rebels, who, swimming round to 
that point of the raft, placed M. Correard and his little 
troop between two dangers, and made their position very 
difficult to defend. At every instant he was opposed to 
men armed with knives, sabres and bayonets. Many had 
carabines, which they wielded as clubs. Every effort was 
made to stop them, by holding them off at the point of 
their swords; but, in spite of the repugnance they expe¬ 
rienced in fighting with their wretched countrymen, they 
were compelled to use their arms without mercy. Many 
of the mutineers attacked with fury, and they were obliged 
to repel them in the same manner. Some of the laborers 
received severe wounds in this action. Their commander 
could show a great number received in the different en¬ 
gagements. At last their united efforts prevailed in dis¬ 
persing this mass who had attacked them with such fury. 

During this combat, M. Correard was told by one of his 
workmen who remained faithful, that one of their comrades, 
named Dominique, had gone over to the rebels, and that 
they had seized and thrown him into the sea. Immediately 
forget! ng the fault and treason of this man, he threw him¬ 
self in at the place whence the voice of the wretch was 
heard calling for assistance, seized him by the hair, and 


A WOMAN SAVED FROM DROWNING. 387 

flad the good fortune to restore him on board. Dominique 
had git several sabre wounds in a charge, one of which 
had la d open his head. In spite of the darkness we found 
out the wound, which seemed very large. 

One of the workmen gave his handkerchief to bind and 
stop the blood. Our care recovered the wretch; but, when 
he had collected strength, the ungrateful Dominique, for 
getting at once his duty and the signal service which we 
had rendered him, went and rejoined the rebels. So much 
baseness did not go unrevenged ; and soon after he found, 
in a fresh assault, that death from which he was not worthy 
to be saved, but which he might in all probability have 
avoided, if, true to honor and gratitude, he had remained 
among us. 

Just at the moment we finished dressing the wounds of 
Dominique, another voice was heard. It was that of the 
unfortunate female who was with us on the raft, and whom 
the infuriated beings had thrown into the sea, as well as 
her husband, who had defended her with courage. M. Cor- 
reard, in despair at seeing two unfortunates perish, whose 
pitiful cries, especially the woman’s, pierced his heart, took 
a large rope, which he found on the front of the raft, which 
he fastened round his middle; and throwing himself a sec¬ 
ond time into the sea, was again so fortunate as to save the 
woman, who invoked with all her might, the" assistance of 
our Lady of Land. Her husband was rescued at the same 
time by the head workman, Lavilette. We laid these un¬ 
fortunates upon the dead bodies, supporting their backs 
with a barrel. In a short while they recovered their senses. 
The first thing the woman did, was to acquaint herself with 
the name of the person who saved her, and to express to 
him her liveliest gratitude. Finding, doubtless, that her 
words but ill expressed her feelings, she recollected she had 
in her pocket a little snuff, and instantly offered it to him 
it was all she possessed. Touched with the gift, but unable 
to use it, M. Correard gave it to a poor sailor, which served 
him for two or three days. But it is impossible for us to 
describe a still more affecting scene—the joy this unfortu 
nate couple testified, when they had sufficiently recovered 
their senses, at finding that they were both saved. 

The rebels being repulsed, as it has been stated above, 
ueft us a 'ittle repose. The moon lighted with her melan 


388 


WRECK OF THE MEOUSA. 


choly rays this disastrous raft, this narrow space, on wnich 
were found united so many torturing anxieties, so many 
cruel misfortunes, a madness so insensate, a courage so 
heroic, and the most generous, the most amiable sentiments 
of nature and humanity. 

The man and wife, who had been but a little before 
stabbed with swords and bayonets, and thrown both to¬ 
gether into a stormy sea, could scarcely credit, their senses 
when they found themselves in one another’s arms. The 
woman was a native of the Upper Alps, which place she 
had left twenty-four years before, and during which time 
she had followed the French armies in the campaigns in 
Italy, and other places, as a sutler. “ Therefore preserve 
my life,” said she to M. Correard; “ you see I am a useful 
woman. Ah ! if you knew how often 1 have ventured upon 
the field of battle, and braved death to carry assistance to 
our gallant men ! Whether they had money or not, I al 
ways let them have my goods. Sometimes a battle would 
deprive me of my poor debtors; but after the victory, 
others would pay me double or triple for what they had 
consumed before the engagement. Thus I came in for a 
share of their victories.” Unfortunate woman ! she little 
knew what a horrible fate awaited her among us ! They 
felt, they expressed so vividly that happiness which they, 
alas! so shortly enjoyed, that would have drawn tears from 
the most obdurate heart. But in that horrible moment, 
when we scarcely breathed from the most furious attack, 
when we were obliged to be continually on our guard, not 
only against the violence of the men, but a most boisterous 
sea, few among us had time to attend to scenes of conju¬ 
gal affection. 

After this second check, the rage of the soldiers was sud¬ 
denly appeased, and gave place to the most abject coward¬ 
ice. Several threw themselves at our feet, and implored 
our pardon—which was instantly granted. Thinking that 
order was re-established, we returned to our station on the 
centre of the raft, only taking the precaution of keeping 
our arms. We, however, had soon to prove the impossi¬ 
bility of counting on the permanence of any honest senti¬ 
ment in the hearts of these beings. 

It was nearly midnight; and, after an hour of apparent 


FURY OF THE REBELS. 


389 


tranquillity, the soldiers rose afresh. Their mind was en¬ 
tirely gone—they ran upon us in despair with knives ana 
sabres in their hands. As they yet had all their physical 
strength, and besides were armed, we were obliged again 
to stand on our defence. Their revolt became still more 
dangerous, as, in their delirium, they were entirely deaf to 
the voice of reason. They attacked us : we charged them 
in our turn, and immediately the raft was strewed with 
their dead bodies. Those of our adversaries who had no 
weapons, endeavored to tear us with their sharp teeth. 
Many of us were cruelly bitten. M. Savigny was torn on 
the legs and the shoulder: he also received a wound on 
the right arm, which deprived him of the use of his fourth 
and little finger for a long while. Many others were 
wounded, and many cuts were found in our clothes from 
knives and sabres. 

One of our workmen was also seized by four of the 
rebels, who wished to throw him into the sea. One of 
them had laid hold of his right leg, and had bit most un¬ 
mercifully the tendon above the heel. Others were striking 
him with great slashes of their sabres, and with the butt 
end of their guns, when his cries made us hasten to his 
assistance. In this affair, the brave Lavilette, ex-sergeant 
of the foot artillery of the old guard, behaved with a courage 
worthy of the greatest praise. lie rushed upon the infu¬ 
riated beings in the manner of M. Correard, and soon 
snatched the workman from the danger which menaced 
him. Some short while after, in a fresh attack of the 
lebels, sub-lieutenant Lozach fell into their hands. In their 
delirium they had taken him for Lieutenant Danglas, of whom 
we have formerly spoken, and who had abandoned the raft 
at the moment when we were quitting the frigate. The 
troop, to a man, eagerly sought this officer, who had seen 
little service, and whom they reproached for having used 
them ill during the time they garrisoned the Isle of Rhe 
We believed this officer lost; but hearing Jiis voice, we 
noon found it still possible to save him. Immediately MM 
Clairct. Savigny, L’Heureux, Lavilette, Coudin, Correard, 
and some workmen, formed themselves into small platoons, 
and rushed upon the insurgents with great impetuosity 


390 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 


overturning every one in their way, and retook M. Lozach 
and placed him on the centre of the raft. 

The preservation of this officer cost us infinite difficulty 
Every moment the soldiers demanded he should be deliv¬ 
ered to them, designating him always by the name of Dan- 
glas. We endeavored to make them comprehend their 
mistake, and told them that they themselves had seen the 
person for whom they sought return on board the frigate. 
They were insensible to every thing we said—every thing 
before them was Danglas—they saw him perpetually, and 
furiously and unceasingly demanded his head. It was only 
by force of arms we succeeded in repressing their rage, and 
quieting their dreadful cries of death. 

Horrible night! thou shrouded with thy gloomy veil 
these frightful combats, over which presided the cruel de¬ 
mon of despair. 

We had also to tremble for the life of M. Coudin. 
Wounded and fatigued by the attacks which he had sus¬ 
tained with us, and in which he had shown a courage su¬ 
perior to every thing, he was resting himself on a barrel, 
holding in his arms a young sailor boy of twelve years of 
age, to whom he had attached himself. The mutineers 
seized him with his barrel, and threw him into the sea with 
the boy, whom he still held fast. In spite of his burden, 
he had the presence of mind to lay hold of the raft, and to 
save himself from this extreme peril. 

We cannot yet comprehend how a handful of men 
should have been able to resist such a number so mons¬ 
trously insane. We are sure we were not more than twenty 
to combat all these madmen. Let it not, however, be 
imagined, that in the midst of all these dangers we had 
preserved our reason entire. Fear, anxiety, and the most 
cruel privations, had greatly changed our intellectual facul¬ 
ties. But being somewhat less insane than the unfortunate 
soldiers, we energetically opposed their determination of 
cutting the cords of the raft. Permit us now to make 
some observations concerning the different sensations with 
which we were affected. During the first day M. Griffon 
entire!} lost his senses. He threw himself into the sea, 
but M. Savigny saved him with his own hands. His words 


SCENES IN THE NIGHT, 


391 


were vague and unconnected. A second time he threw 
himself in ; but, by a sort of instinct, kept hold of the cross 
pieces of the raft, and was again saved. 

The following is what M. Savigny experienced in the 
beginning of the night. His eyes closed in spite of him¬ 
self, and he felt a general drowsiness. In this condition 
the most delightful visions flitted across his imagination. 
He saw around him a country covered with the most beau¬ 
tiful plantations, and found himself in the midst of objects 
delightful to his senses. Nevertheless, he reasoned con¬ 
cerning his condition, and felt that courage alone could 
withdraw him from this species of non-existence. He de¬ 
manded some wine from the master-gunner, who got it for 
him, and he recovered a little from this stupor. If the un¬ 
fortunates who were assailed with these primary symptoms, 
had not strength to withstand them, their death was cer¬ 
tain. Some became furious—others threw themselves into 
the sea, bidding farewell to their comrades with the utmost 
coolness. Some said, “ Fear nothing; I am going to get 
you assistance, and will return in a short while.” In the 
midst of this general madness, some wretches were seen 
rushing upon their companions, sword in hand, demanding 
a wing of a chicken and some bread, to appease the hunger 
which consumed them. Others asked for their hammocks, 
to go, they said, between the decks of the frigate, to take 
a little repose. Many believed they were still on the Me¬ 
dusa, surrounded by the same objects they there saw daily. 
Some saw ships, and called to them for assistance; or a 
fine harbor, in the distance of which was an elegant city. 
M. Correard thought he was travelling through the beauti¬ 
ful fields of Italy. An officer said to him, “ I recollect we 
have been abandoned by the boats; but fear nothing. I 
am going to write to the governor, and in a few hours we 
shall be saved.” M. Correard replied in the same tone, 
and as if he had been in his ordinary condition, “ Have yo^ 
a pigeon to carry your orders with such celerity ?” The 
cries and the confusion soon roused us from this languor, 
but when tranquillity was somewhat restored, we again fell 
into the same drowsy condition. On the morrow, we ielt 
as if we had awoke from a painful dream ; and asked our 
companions, if, during their sleep, they had not seen com* 


3 92 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA, 


bats and hoard cries of despair. Some replied, that the 
same visions had continually tormented them, and that they 
were exhausted with fatigue. Every one believed he was 
deceived by the illusions of a horrible dream. 

After these different combats, overcome with toil, with 
want of food and sleep, we laid ourselves down and reposed 
till the morning dawned, and showed us the horror of the 
scene A great number in their delirium had thrown them¬ 
selves into the sea. We found that sixty or sixty-five had 
perished during tne night. A fourth part at least, we sup¬ 
posed, had drowned themselves in despair. We only lost 
two of our own number, neither of whom were officers. 
The deepest dejection was seated on every face. Each, 
having recovered himself, could now feel the horrors of his 
situation ; and some of us, shedding tears of despair, bit¬ 
terly deplored the rigor of our fate. 

A new misfortune was now revealed to us. During the 
tumult, the rebels had thrown into the sea two barrjls of 
wine, and the only two casks of water which we had upon 
the raft. Two casks of wine had been consumed the day 
hefore, and only one was left. We were more than sixty 
in number, p.id we were obliged to put ourselves on half 
rations. * 

At break of day the sea calmed, which permitted us 
again to erect our mast. When it was replaced, we made 
a distribution of wine. The unhappy soldiers murmured, 
and blamed us for privations which we equally endured 
with them. They fell exhausted. We had taken nothing 
for forty-eight hours, and we had been obliged to struggle 
continually against a strong sea. We could, like them, 
hardly support ourselves; courage alone made us still act 
We resolved to employ every possible means to catch fish ; 
and, collecting all the hooks and eyes from the soldiers, 
made fish-hooks of them: but all was of no avail. The 
currents carried our lines under the raft, where they got 
entangled. We bent a bayonet to catch sharks: one bit 
at it, and straitened it; and we abandoned our project. 
Something was absolutely necessary to sustain our miserable * 
existence; and we tremble with horror at being obliged to 
tell that of which we made use. We feel our pen fall from 
our hands; i mortal cold congeals all our members; and 


THEIR DISTRESSING HUNGER. 


393 


our hair bristles erect on our foreheads. Readers ! we im¬ 
plore you, feel not indignant towards men already over- 
oaded with misery. Pity their condition, and shed a tear 
of sorrow for their deplorable fate. 

The wretches, whom death had spared during the disas¬ 
trous night we have described, seized upon the dead bodies 
with which the raft was covered, cutting them up by slices, 
which some even instantly devoured. Many nevertheless 
tefrained. Almost all the officers were of this number. 
Seeing that this monstrous food had revived the strength 
of those who had used it, it was proposed to dry it, to 
make it a little more palatable. Those who had firmness 
to abstain from it took an additional quantity of wine. 
We endeavored to eat shoulder-belts and cartouch-boxes, 
and contrived to swallow some small bits of them. Some 
eat linen ; others, the leathers of their hats, on which was 
a little grease, or rather dirt. We had recourse to many 
expedients to prolong our miserable existence, to recount 
which would only disgust the heart of humanity. 

The day was calm and beautiful. A ray of hope beamed 
for a moment to quiet our agitation. We still expected to 
see the boats or some ships; and addressed our prayers to 
the Eternal, on whom we placed our trust. The half of 
oui men were extremely feeble, and bore upon their faces 
the stamp of approaching dissolution. The evening ar¬ 
rived, and brought no help. The darkness of the third 
night augmented our fears ; but the wind was still, and the 
sea less agitated. The sun of the fourth morning since our 
departure shone upon our disaster, and showed us ten or 
twelve of our companions stretched lifeless upon the raft. 
This sight struck us most forcibly, as it told us we would 
soon be extended in the same manner in the same place. 
We gave their bodies to the sea for a grave, reserving only 
one to feed those who, but the day before, had held his 
trembling hands, and sworn to him eternal friendship. 
This day was beautiful. Our souls, anxious for more de¬ 
lightful sensations, were in harmony with the aspect of .he 
heavens, and got again a new ray of hope. Towards four 
in the afternoon, an unlooked for event happened, which 
gave us some consolation. A shoal of flying fish passed 
under our raft, and as there was an infinite number of 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 


:*94 

openings between the pieces which composed it, the fish 
were entangled in great quantities. We threw ourselves 
upon them, and captured a considerable number. We took 
about two hundred, and put them in an empty barrel. W e 
opened them as we caught them, and took out what is 
called their milt. This food seemed delicious; but one 
man would have required a thousand. Our first emotion 
was to give to God renewed thanks for this unhoped for 
favor. 

An ounce of gunpowder having been found in the morn¬ 
ing, was dried in the sun during the day, which was very 
fine. A steel, gun-flints, and tinder, made also part of the 
same parcel. After a good deal of difficulty we set fire to 
some fragments of dry linen. W r e made a large opening in 
the side of an empty cask, and placed at the bottom of it 
several wet things, and upon this kind of scaffolding we set 
our fire ; all of which we placed on a barrel, that the sea¬ 
water might not extinguish it. We cooked some fish, and 
eat them with extreme avidity; but our hunger was such, 
and our portion so small, that we added to it some of the 
sacrilegious viands, which the cooking rendered less revolt¬ 
ing. This some of the officers touched for the first time. 
From this day we continued to eat it; but we could no 
longer dress it, the means of making a fire having been 
entirely lost. The barrel having caught fire, we extin¬ 
guished it without being able to preserve any thing to re¬ 
kindle it on the morrow. The powder and tinder were 
entirely gone. This meal gave us all additional strength 
to support our fatigues. The night was tolerable, and 
would have been happy, had it not been signalized by a 
new massacre. 

Some Spaniards, Italians, and negroes, had formed a 
plot to throw us into the sea. The negroes had told them 
that they were very near the shore; and that, when there, 
they would enable them to traverse Africa without danger. 
We had to take to our arms again, the sailors, who had 
remained faithful to us, pointing out to us the conspirators. 
The first signal for battle was given by a Spaniard; who, 
placing himself behind the mast, holding fast by it, made 
the sign of the cross with one hand, invoking the name of 
Gxl, and with the other held a knife. The sailors seized 


A COMBAT AMONGST THEM. 


395 


linn, and threw him into the sea. An Italian, servant to 
an officer of the troops, who was in the plot, seeing all was 
discovered, armed himself with the only boarding axe left 
on the raft, made his retreat to the front, enveloped him¬ 
self in a piece of drapery he wore across his breast, and of 
his own accord threw himself into the sea. The rebels 
rushed forward to avenge their comrades, and a terrible 
conflict again commenced. Both sides fought with des¬ 
perate fury ; and soon the fatal raft was strewed with dead 
bodies and blood, which should have been shed by other 
hands, and in another cause. In this tumult we heard 
them again demanding, with horrid rage, the head of Lieu¬ 
tenant Danglas. In this assault the unfortunate sutler was 
again thrown into the sea. M. Coudin, assisted by some 
workmen, saved her, to prolong for a little while her tor¬ 
ment and her existence. In this terrible night Lavilette 
failed not to give proofs of the rarest intrepidity. It was 
to him, and some of those who had survived the sequel of 
our misfortunes, that we owed our safety. At last, after 
unheard of efforts, the rebels were once more repulsed, and 
quiet restored. Having escaped this new danger, we en¬ 
deavored to get some repose. The day at length dawned 
upon us for the fifth time. We were now no more than 
thirty in number. We had lost four or five of our faithful 
sailors, and those who survived were in the most deplorable 
condition. The sea water had almost entirely excoriated 
the skin of our lower extremities; and we were covered 
with contusions or wounds, which, irritated by the salt 
water, extorted from us the most piercing cries. About 
twenty of us only were capable of standing upright or walk¬ 
ing. Almost all our fish was exhausted—we had but four 
days’ supply of wine. “ In four days,” said we, “ nothing 
will be left, and death will be inevitable.” Thus came the 
seventh day of our abandonment. In the course of the 
day, two soldiers had glided behind the only barrel of wine 
that was loft, pierced it, and were drinking by means of a 
reed. We had sworn that those who used such means 
should be punished with death; which law was instantly 
put in execution, and the two transgressors were thrown 
into the sea. 

This same day saw the close of the life of a child named 


396 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 


Leon, aged twelve years. lie died like a lamp which 
ceases to burn for want of aliment. All spoke in favor ol 
this young and amiable creature, who merited a better fate 
His angelic form, his musical voice, the interest of an age 
so tender, increased still more by the courage he had 
shown, and the services he had performed, (for he had al 
ready made, in the preceding year, a campaign in the East 
Indies,) inspired us all with the greatest pity for this young 
victim, devoted to so horrible and premature a death. Our 
old soldiers, and all the people in general, did every thing 
they could to prolong his existence; but all was in vain. 
Neither the wine which they gave him without regret, nor 
all the means they employed, could arrest his melancholy 
doom ; and he expired in the arms of M. Coudin, who had 
not ceased to give him the most unwearied attention. 
Whilst he had strength to move, he ran incessantly from 
one side to the other, loudly calling for his unhappy mother, 
for water and food. He trod indiscriminately on the feet 
and legs of his companions in misfortune, who, in their 
turn, uttered the most fearful cries; but these were very 
rarely accompanied with menaces. They pardoned all 
which the poor boy had made them suffer. He was not in 
his senses—consequently could not be expected to behave 
as if he had the use of reason. 

There now remained but twenty-seven of us. Fifteen 
of this number seemed able to live yet some days; the 
rest, covered with large wounds, had almost entirely lost 
the use of their reason. They still, however, shared in 
the distributions; and would, before they died, consume 
thirty or forty bottles of wine, which to us were inestimable 
We deliberated, that by putting the sick on half allowance, 
was but putting them to death by halves ; but after a coun¬ 
cil, at which presided the most dreadful despair, it was de¬ 
cided they should be thrown into the sea. This means, 
however repugnant, however horrible it appeared to us, 
procured the survivors six days’ wine. But after the de¬ 
cision was made, who durst execute it ? The habit of see¬ 
ing death ready to devour us; the certainty of our infalli 
hie destruction without this monstrous expedient; all, in 
short, had hardened our hearts to every feeling but that of 
self-preservation Three sailors and a soldier took charge 


CONTINUATION OB' THEIR SUFFERINGS. .‘397 

of thi3 cruel business. We looked aside, and shed tears 
of blood at the fate of these unfortunates. Among them 
were the wretched sutler and her husband. Both had been 
grievously wounded in the different combats. The woman 
had a thigh broken between the beams of the raft, and a 
stroke of a sabre had made a deep wound in the head of 
her husband. Every thing announced their approaching 
end. We consoled ourselves with the belief, that our cruel 
resolution shortened but a brief space the term of their ex¬ 
istence. Ye who shudder at the cry of outraged humanity, 
recollect that it was other men, fellow-countrymen, com 
rades, who had placed us in this awful situation. 

This horrible expedient saved the fifteen who remained ; 
for when we were found by the Argus brig, we had very 
little wine left, and it was the sixth day after the cruel 
sacrifice we have described. The victims, we repeat, had 
not more than forty-eight hours to live ; and by keeping 
them on the raft, we would have been absolutely destitute 
of the means of existence two days before we were found. 
Weak as we were, we considered it as a certain tiling, diat 
it would have been impossible for us to have lived only 
twenty-four hours more without taking some food. After 
this catastrophe, we threw our arms into the sea: they in¬ 
spired us with a horror we could not overcome. We only 
kept one sabre, in case we had to cut some cordage or 
some piece of wood. 

A new event—for every thing was an event to wretches 
to whom the world was reduced to the narrow space of a 
few toises, and for whom the winds and waves contendei 
in their fuiy, as they floated across the abyss—an event 
happened, which diverted our minds from the horrors of 
our situation. All on a sudden, a white butterfly, of a spe¬ 
cies common in France, came fluttering above our heads, 
and settled on our sails. The first thought this little crea¬ 
ture suggested was, that it was the harbinger of approach¬ 
ing land ; and we clung to the hope with the delirium of 
‘oy. It was the ninth day we bad been upon the raft; the 
torments of hunger consumed our entrails; and the sol 
diers and sailors already devoured with haggard eyes this 
wretched prey, and seemed ready to dispute about it. 
dthets ooking upon it as a messenger from Heaven, de- 
34 


59tf WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 

dared that they took it under their protection, and would 
suffer none to do it harm. It is certain we could not be 
for from land, for the butterflies continued to come on the 
following days, and flutter about our sail. We had also, 
on the same day, another indication not less positive, by a 
Goeland which flew around our raft. This second visitor 
left us no doubt that we were fast approaching the African 
soil; and we persuaded ourselves that we should be speedily 
thrown upon the coast by the currents. 

This same day a new care employed us. Seeing we 
were reduced to so small a number, we collected all the 
little strength we had left, detached some planks on the 
front of the raft, and, with some pretty long pieces of wood, 
raised on the centre a kind of platform, on which we re¬ 
posed. All the effects we could collect were placed upon 
it, and tended to make it less hard ; which also prevented 
the sea from passing with such facility through the spaces 
between the different planks; but the waves came across 
and sometimes covered us completely. On this new theatre 
we resolved to meet death in a manner becoming French¬ 
men, and with perfect resignation. Our time was almost 
wholly spent in speaking of our unhappy country. All our 
wishes, our last prayers, were for the prosperity of France. 
Thus passed the last days of our abode upon the raft. 

Soon after our abandonment, we bore with comparative 
ease the immersions during the nights, which are very cold 
in these countries; but latterly, every time the waves 
washed over us, we felt a most painful sensation, and we 
uttered painful cries. We employed every means to avoid 
it. Some supported their heads on pieces of wood, and 
made with what they could find a sort of little parapet to 
screen them from the force of the waves; others sheltered 
themselves behind two empty casks. But these means 
were very insufficient: it was only when the sea was calm 
tnat it did not break over us. 

An ardent thirst, redoubled in the day by the beams of 
a burning sun, consumed us. An officer of the army found 
by chance a small lemon, and it may easily be imagined 
how valuable such a fruit would be to him. His comrades, 
in spite of' the most urgent entreaties, could not get a bit 
of it from him. Signs of rage were already manifested • 


THEIR INTENSE HUNGER AND THIRST. 


399 


nd had he not partly listened to the solicitations of those 
around him, they would have taken it by force, and he 
would have perished the victim of his selfishness. We 
also disputed about thirty clover of garlic, which were found 
in the bottom of a sack. These disputes were for the 
most part accompanied with violent menaces ; and if they 
had been prolonged, w T e might perhaps have come to the 
last extremities. There was found also two small phials, 
in which was a spirituous liquor for cleaning the teeth. 
He who possessed them kept them with care, and gave 
with reluctance one or two drops in the palm of the hand. 
This liquor, which we think was a tincture of guiacum, 
cinnamon, cloves, and other aromatic substances, produced 
on our tongues an agreeable feeling, and for a short while 
removed the thirst which destroyed us. Some of us found 
some small pieces of powder, which made, when put into 
the mouth, a kind of coolness. One plaa generally em¬ 
ployed was to put into a hat a quantity of sea-water, with 
which we washed our faces for a while, repeating it at in¬ 
tervals. We also bathed our hair and held our hands in 
the water. Misfortune made us ingenious, and each thought 
of a thousand means to alleviate his sufferings. Emaciated 
by the most cruel privations, the least agreeable feeling was 
to us a happiness supreme. Thus we sought with avidity 
a small empty phial which one of us possessed, and in 
which had once been some essence of roses; and every 
one, as he got hold of it, respired with delight the odor it 
exhaled, which imparted to his senses the most soothing 
impressions. Many of us kept our rations of wine in a 
small tin cup, and sucked it out with a quill. This manner 
of taking it was of great benefit to us, and allayed our 
thirst much better than if we had gulped it off at once. 

Three days passed in inexpressible anguish. So much 
did we despise life, that many of us feared not to bathe in 
sight of the sharks which surrounded our raft; others 
placed themselves naked upon the front of our machine, 
which was under water. These expedients diminished a 
little the ardor of their thirst. A species of molusca, known 
to seamen by the name of gatere, was sometimes driven by 
great numbers on our raft; and when their long arms 
rested on our naked bodies, they occasioned us the mo** 


400 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 


cruel sufferings. Will it be believed, that amids these 
terrible scenes, struggling with inevitable death, some of us 
uttered pleasantries, which made us yet smile, in spite of 
the horrors of our situation ? One, besides others, said 
jestingly, “If the brig is sent to search for us, pray God it 
has the eyes of Argus,” in allusion to the name of the ves¬ 
sel we presumed would be sent to our assistance. This 
consolatory idea never left us an instant, and we spoke of 
it frequently. 

On the 16th, reckoning we were very near land, eight 
of the most determined among us resolved to endeavor to 
gain the coast. A second raft, of smaller dimensions, was 
formed for transporting them thither ; but it was found in¬ 
sufficient: and they at length determined to await death 
in their present situation. Meanwhile night came on, and 
its sombre veil revived in our minds the most afflicting 
thoughts. We were convinced there were not above a 
dozen or fifteen bottles of wine in our barrel. We began 
to have an invincible disgust at the flesh, which had till 
then scarcely supported us; and we may say, that the 
sight of it inspired us with feelings of horror, doubtless 
produced by the idea of our approaching dissolution. 

On the morning of the 17th the sun appeared free from 
clouds. After having addressed our prayers to the Eternal, 
we divided among us a part of our wine. Each, with de¬ 
light, was taking his small portion ; when a captain of in¬ 
fantry, casting his eyes on the horizon, perceived a ship, 
and announced it to us by an exclamation of joy. We 
knew it to be a brig, but it was at a great distance: we 
could distinguish the masts. The sight of this vessel re¬ 
vived in us emotions difficult to describe. Each believed 
his deliverance sure, and we gave a thousand thanks to 
God. Fears, however, mingled with our hopes. We 
straightened some hoops of casks, to the ends of which 
we fixed handkerchiefs of different colors. A man, with 
our united assistance, mounted to the top of the mast, and' 
waved these little flags. For more than half an hour, we 
were tossed between hope and fear. Some thought the 
vessel grew larger, and others were convinced its course 
was from us. These last were the only ones whose eyea 
were not blinded by hope, for tae ship disappeaied 


THE BRIG APPROACHES THEM. 


40 


From the delirium of joy, we passed to that of despon¬ 
dency and sorrow. We envied the fate of those whom 
we had seen perish at our sides ; and we said to ourselves, 
u When we shall be in want of every thing, and when our 
strength begins to forsake us, we will wrap ourselves up as 
we can ; we will stretch ourselves on this platform, the 
[witness of the most cruel sufferings, and there await death 
•with resignation.” At length, to calm our despair, we 
sought for consolation in the arms of sleep. The day be¬ 
fore we had been scorched by the beams of a burning sun : 
to day, to avoid the fierceness of his rays, we made a tent 
with the mainsail of the frigate. As soon as it was finished, 
we laid ourselves under it: thus all that was passing with¬ 
out was hid from our eyes. We proposed then to write 
upon a plank an abridgement of our adventures, and to 
add our names at the bottom of the recital, and tix it to 
the upper part of the mast, in the hope it would reach 
the government and our families. 

After having passed two hours, a prey to the most cruel 
reflections, the master gunner of the frigate, wishing to go 
to the front of the raft, went out from below the tent. 
Scarcely had he put out his head, when he turned to us, 
uttering a piercing cry. Joy was painted upon his face— 
his hands were stretched towards the sea—he breathed 
with dithculty. All he was able to say was, “ Saved ! see 
the brig upon us!” and in fact it was not more than half a 
league distant, having every sail set, and steering right 
upon us. Wo lushed from our tent: even those whom 
enormous wounds in their inferior extremities had confined 
for some days, dragged themselves to the back of the raft, 
to enjoy a sight ol the ship which had come to save us from 
certain death. We embraced one another with a transport 
which looked much like madness, and tears of joy trickled 
down our cheeks, withered by the most cruel privations, 
fcach seized handkerchiefs, or some pieces ofiinen, to make 
signals to the brig, which was rapidly approaching us. 
Some fell on their knees, and fervently returned thanks to 
Providence for this miraculous preservation of their lives. 
Our joy redoubled when we saw at the top of the foremast 
a la/ge white flag; and we cried, “Is it then to French* 
men ^vve will owe our deliverance.” We instantly recog 


402 


WRECK OF THE MEDUSA. 


nised the brig to be the Argus : it was then about two gun 
shots from us. We were terribly impatient to see her reel 
her sails, which at last she did ; and fresh cries of joy arose 
from our raft. The Argus came and lay to on our star¬ 
board, about half a pistol shot from us. The crew, ranged 
upon the deck and on the shrouds, announced to 11 s, by 
the waving of their hands and hats, the pleasure they felt 
at coming to the assistance of their unfortunate country¬ 
men. In a short time we were all transported on board 
the brig, where we found the lieutenant of the frigate, and 
some others who had been wrecked with us. Compassion 
was painted on every face, and pity drew tears from every 
eye which beheld us. 

We found some excellent broth on board the brig, which 
they had prepared ; and when they had perceived us, they 
added to it some wine, and thus restored our nearly ex¬ 
hausted strength. They bestowed on us the most generous 
care and attention: our wounds were dressed, and on the 
morrow many of our sick began to revive. Some, how¬ 
ever, still suffered much ; for they were placed between 
decks, very near the kitchen, which augmented the almost 
insupportable heat of these latitudes. This want of space 
arose from the small size of the vessel. The number of the 
shipwrecked was indeed very considerable. Those who 
did not belong to the navy were laid upon cables, wrapped 
in flags, and placed under the fire of the kitchen. Here 
they had almost perished during the course of the night, 
fire having broken out between decks about ten in the 
evening; but timely assistance being rendered, we were 
saved for the second time. We had scarcely escaped, when 
some of us became again delirious. An officer of infantry 
wished to throw himself into the sea, to look for his pocket 
book ; and would have done it had he not been prevented. 
Others were seized in a manner not less frenzied. 

The commander and officers of the brig watched over 
us, and kindly anticipated our wants. They snatched us 
from death, by saving us from our raft: their unremitting 
care revived within us the spark of life. The surgeon of 
the ship, M. Renaud, distinguished himself for his inde¬ 
fatigable zeal. He was obliged to spend the whole of the 
day in dressing our wounds; and during the two days we 


CONCLUSION OF THE STORY. 


403 


were in the brig, he bestowed on us all the aid of I is art, * 
with an attention and gentleness which merits our eternal 
gratitude. 

In truth, it was time we should find an end of our suf¬ 
ferings : they had lasted thirteen days in the most cruel 
manner. The strongest among us might have lived forty- 
eight hours or so, longer. M. Correard felt that he must 
die in the course of the day. He had, however, a present¬ 
iment we would be saved. He said, that a series of events 
so unheard of, would not be buried in oblivion: that 
P~ovidence would at least preserve some of us to tell to 
ii»e world the melancholy story of our misfortunes. 

Such is the fatal history of those who were left upon 
the memorable raft. Of one hundred and fifty, fifteen only 
were saved. Five of that number never recovered from 
»heir fatigue, and died at St. Louis. Those who yet live 
ire covered with scars; and the cruel sufferings to which 
2ey have been exposed, have materially shaken their 
institutions 





NARRATIVE 


THE TOTAL LOSS 

or 

THE ROTHESAY CAST!E 

STEAM- VESSEL, 


On the Dutchman's Bank , August 17, 1831, on he, 
passage from Liverpool to fVales; giving a most 
heart-rending and melancholy account of the loss 
of upwards of one hundred passengers. 

The Rothesay Castle, steam-packet left the pier-head, 
Liverpool, for Beaumaris, on Wednesday morning. On 
this occasion, as usual, her passengers consisted principa’ly 
of persons who sought relaxation in the pursuit of lauda¬ 
ble pleasure. Most of them were strangers in Liverpool, 
being from the adjoining districts then on an excursion to 
Wales. By far the greater part of the passengers were 
women and children. No doubt their hearts were light 
with gaiety, and they, poor things! were full with antici¬ 
pation of the pleasures which they naturally thought await¬ 
ed them. The steamer hung about the river an hour, 
taking in passengers, and did not clear the light-nouse till 
12 o’clock. The storm of the morning had passed, but 
the wind was still fresh, and a considerable sea running, 
and a strong tide to stem after passing the rock. Some oi 
the passengers now became alarmed, and their fears were 
increased by the tremulous motion of the steamer, which 
even in calm weather and smooth water was any thing but 
firm. 

She appeared at this time crazy and weak. Mr Var- 
uey of Bury, in common with others, great!v alamos, 



THE VESSEL STRIKES. 


405 


tvent down !o the cabin, where the captain was at dinner, 
and requested him to put back. His rep y was, “I think 
there is a d—d deal of fear on board, and very little dan¬ 
ger. II we were to put back with passengers, it would 
never do, we should make no profit.” The captain was at 
this time intoxicated. The sea continued rough, and the 
vessel made so little progress, that she remained three hours 
in sight of the floating light. The passengers became 
very ill, and all expressed great anxiety to turn back; but 
the captain still refused. He was repeatedly asked to 
make signals, but declined. Soon after night-lall, ere she 
arrived off the Great Orm Head, the sea got very rough, 
and the wind right ahead, which made the vessel strain 
very much, and take in water through her beams and at the 
axles of the paddles so as to make it even then ankle deep 
in the engine room. The pumps were now set agoing, but 
were in a short time choked with the ashes from the engine, 
(fire which had mingled with the water,) and considerable 
time was lost in getting the pumps to work again. The 
captain was again requested to make signals of distress. 
Had he done so, it was the opinion of practical men, that 
all could have been saved. 

He would not, however make signals, neither would he 
hang out a light, and the result of his obstinacy was that 
the vessel quitted "her course, and struck at twelve o’clock. 
The scene then was piteous in the extreme; fifty persons 
were at once thrown into the sea, amidst the screams of 
the survivors, by the lurching of the vessel, long before she 
struck. The passengers looked upon themselves as lost, 
and parents and relations were to be seen taking leave of 
each other. 

When the vessel struck, the passengers rushed forward, 
tut the captain ordered them aft, and on seeing him con¬ 
sult with the mate, a gentleman cried out, “ It is all over 
with us, the captain and mate are preparing to leave the 
vesse .” At this moment, no doubt from accident, the 
captain fell or tumbled overboard, and was the first person 
drowned. lie was intoxicated all the way. The vessel 
continued whole until one o’clock, when she broke, as it 
w( re, across, and the remainder of the passengers, with the 
on'cption of those sa v ed, were hurried into the sea. Bo- 


406 


LOSS OF THE ROTHESAY CASTLE. 


fore this direful event, the scene on deck wcs heart-iena 
ing. The women and children collected in a knot togeth 
er, and kept embracing each other, keeping up all the time 
the most dismal lamentations. When tired of crying, they 
lay against each other, with their heads reclined like inani¬ 
mate bodies; but when the vessel went to pieces, at hall 
past one, the shrieks of anguish and despair were terrific 
and deafening. At this awful moment, a Mr. Nuttall was 
precipitated into the sea; he was encumbered with all his 
clothes, a great-coat, and in addition to these, a fine little 
boy took refuge on his back. He could not swim, and 
must have sunk, had not providence thrown a rope in his 
way. He seized it eagerly, and was guided to a part oi 
the wreck that adhered to the wheel of the engine. Here 
he found Mrs. Whittaker, a boy, and six others. They 



Mrs. Whittaker and her companions on a fragment of the wreck . 


remained here in the presence of death until seren the 
next morning. In the hope of attracting notice, they hung 
out Mrs. Whittaker’s-shawl, and this signal having been 
seen from land, the life boat came off and earned them 
from the wreck. Previous to her arrival, tho tide had oar 













PARTICULARS OF THE WRECK* 


407 


ried them out to sea, and they must have soon peiished, 
had not assistance arrived. It was low water when the 
vessel struck. 

At midnight, by the testimony of the man at the wheel, 
thr; vessel had got far enough to windward of the land 
called Dutchman’s Bank, and abreast of the tower on Priest- 
thome Island, when, owing to the temporary stoppage of 
the engine, she lost way, at which time she was laboring 
heavily and making much water. The steersman had the 
helm a-port when the vessel struck with her stern upon the 
bank. The captain, who appears to have been below when 
the vessel lost way, now came upon the poop, and ordered 
the steersman to starboard his helm, alleging that he would 
otherwise run her upon the causeway on the other side. 
This was done, and the vessel was consequently brought 
with her head to the bank. Immediately afterwards the 
engines were reversed, with the view of getting her into 
deeper water, but owing to the want of sufficient power 
the attempt proved ineffectual. The jib was then hoisted, 
but in vain, and after repeatedly striking and dragging 
along the edge of the bank for about half a mile, she came 
broadside on the bank, about half past twelve, and there 
remained, beyond the reach of human exertion to remove 
her. A mountainous sea kept breaking against and over 
her, which frequently raised her in part from the bank, and 
instantly made the part so raised strike again with tremen¬ 
dous violence on the sand. The moon had by this time 
gone down, the sky was overcast with heavy clouds over¬ 
head, and beneath the pitchy waves appeared as if yawn¬ 
ing for the prey which they were soon to engulph. 

Very soon after the vessel had got with her broadside to 
the bank, the after tackle of the chimney broke loose, but 
was again secured by great exertion. In a few minutes, 
it gave way again, and, with the next heavy shock of the 
sea, the chimney came down, bringing with it the main¬ 
mast; and both falling in a slanting direction, athwart the 
deck to the weather side. What -lumber of individuals 
were killed or thrown over by the shock when the chimney 
and mast fell, is unknown; but soon after, (about one 
o’clock,) ten or twelve persons were washed oft the deck 
into the deep. The rudder was next unshipped ; and the 


403 


LOSS OF THE ROTHESAV CAiTLE. 


boat having filled with water, broke from the painter, and 
went adrift. Many persons stripped off their clothing in 
order to swim, and several threw themselves into the sea 
with a form from the quarter-deck; but all perished speea 
ily. The bulwarks on the weather side, behind which from 
twelve to twenty persons sought shelter, were next washed 
away, and all who clung to them buried in the deep. 
Betwixt a quarter and a half past one, the weather paddle- 
box, on and about which betwixt thirty and forty persons 
were placed, was carried off by a tremendous sea, in 
which every one of those individuals is believed to have 
perished. 

Before two -o’clock, the vessel broke in the midships, and 
became a total wreck. The main deck burst up in every 
direction, and the quarter-deck or poop. There were at 
the moment, six men, a woman, and a boy upon the quar¬ 
ter-deck, which, after parting, was still held by some of the 
ship’s tackle, until Mr. Jones, a Liverpool pilot, who was 
on board as a passenger, with great promptitude, cut the 
tackle with his knife, and then the quarter-deck floated 
clear of the wreck; whereby his own life, and the lives ot 
the other individuals upon it, were preserved. At the time 
the quarter-deck floated from the hull, there remained 
probably from thirty to fifty persons upon the wreck; of 
whom some threw themselves into the water lashed t<s 
planks, others were washed overboard, about twelve clung 
to the falling mainmast, three ascended the foremast, which 
still retained its upright position, and two or three more 
clung to the lower part of it. Of all these, not above ten 
appear to have been saved. When the quarter-deck part¬ 
ed from the wreck, there were upon it six men, one 
woman, and a boy, and they shortly afterwards picked up 
another man, who was drifting past upon a plank. They 
then commenced paddling with pieces of timber, and two 
men held up betwixt them a petticoat, as a substitute for a 
sail, in hopes of gaining the Carnarvonshire shore. Short¬ 
ly after day-break, they observed people upon the land, to 
whom they shouted; but the distance was too far for their 
voices to be heard, and they continued to drift before the 
wind, with the sea washing over them every minute, until 
half past seven in the morning, when they were seen and 


ESCAPE OF MR. JONES AND OTH IRS. 


409 


picked up by the Beaumaris life-boat, in a state of complete 
exhaustion. They had been first observed by Mr. W 
Walker, while walking up Beaumaris-green, a little after 
day-break, and he immediately procured the boat and crew 
and went to their assistance. 

The escape of Mr. Edward Jones, of Bangor, was truly 
miraculous. He could not swim ; but having found a small 
keg on board, he fastened it with a piece of rope to his body, 
along with two others. Shortly afterwards the carriage 
was washed overboard, and he and his companions thrown 
with great violence into the water. The keg shifted from 
his breast, and got under his left arm, so that it was with 
great difficulty he could keep his head above water. The 
carriage was now floating past him, and he laid hold of one 
of the wheels with his right hand; but the carriage soon 
sunk. At that moment he observed a man, (Mr. Duck¬ 
worth of Bury,) seated on a board, about the size of a 
room-door, within a few yards of him. Mr. Jones imme¬ 
diately relinquished his keg, and, although he had never 
before attempted to swim, made several resolute strokes, 
and succeeded in gaining the board, on one end of which 
he rested, and Mr. Duckworth on the other. Their mutual 
weight brought the board so much under water that it was 
with difficulty they could keep their heads up to breathe, 
and both were rapidly exhausting, when Mr. Duckworth 
contrived to undress himself, and quitted the board with 
the intention of swimming to the shore, and succeeded in 
the attempt. Mr. Jones got fairly upon the board, and 
put his feet through the hole in the centre, holding with 
his hands by the sides. In this posture he kept afloat until 
nearly eight o’clock, when he was picked up bv Mr. Wil¬ 
liamson, in the schooner Campadora’s boat, so close to the 
breakers off the Great Orm’s Head, that, had the boat 
been five minutes later, she could have rendered him no 
assistance. 

Mrs. Whittaker says, “ When the vessel struck, I was 
on the quarter-deck with two boys,—my own, about six 
years and a half old, and my brother’s about eight. The 
first thing I noticed was the water coming over the side of 
the vessel. I and the boys got hold of a rope, and the 
seat on which we had been sitting was washed overboard- 
35 


410 


LOSS OF THE ROTHESAY CASTLE. 


The mast then came down, and lay in such a position as 
to press me against the side of the vessel. The wind biew 
strongly, and the waves were very high; one of the boys 
was washed overboard, but I caught hold of his clothes 
and pulled him back. In the intermediate time, betwixt 
the overflowing and receding of the waves, I observed 
that the passengers were fewer in number, that some of 
them went with each wave, and I saw them, at a short dis¬ 
tance, struggling in the water. At length there came a 
heavier wave, which broke in the vessel’s side, and swept 
both the boys and myself overboard, and I lost them and 
saw them no more. I got hold of a rope, and tried to get 
on deck again, but I could not; the water drove me back, 
and at the same time washed Selim Lamb overboard. Be¬ 
fore this happened, some of the passengers had got upon 
a piece of the wreck; it was part of the poop, with the 
wheel attached to it: Mr. Nuttall, one of our party from 
Bury, was amongst them ; he got hold of the hair of my 
head and pulled me to them. At this time I was almost 
naked. My garments had been torn from me one by one, 
and I had only my stays, and my under petticoat and shift 
left. I took off my petticoat, and two men stood upon the 
wreck, and held it in their hands as a sail. A gentleman, 
whose name I did not know, said, ‘Don’t take her petti¬ 
coat from her, poor thing; ’ but I preferred that they 
should have it. They then fastened a handkerchief to a 
long pole. At this time I caught hold of a gentleman, 
and got him upon the float. His eyes were fixed, and 
he appeared to be in a dying state. Four of the passen¬ 
gers now began to row with pieces of the vessel, and the 
men who held the petticoat becoming tired, they fixed it to 
a piece of wood, and we remained floating in very rough 
water, until at length a boat came to our assistance, and 
took us to Beaumaris. The sailors behaved most kindly to 
me ; they stripped off their jackets and handkerchiefs, and 
wrapped me in them. We were taken up nearly at the foot 
of Penmaen Mawr, and conveyed to Beaumaris, where the 
utmost attention was bestowed upon us by the inhabitants. 
A number of ladies were most kind to me; they found me 
every thing I stood in need of, and endeavored to console 
me for the loss they could not repair—that of my dear boy 


PERILOUS SITUATION 

OF 

THE AMERICA IS 

Samuel Slandige , Captain , in a voyage to Rhode 
Island , 1749. 


On the 25th of September, 1749; the American having 
completed her cargo, which consisted of coals, grindstones, 
bale goods, and hemp, the captain received his instructions 
from the owner to fall down the Humber the next tide, and 
to proceed with ail possible expedition to the place of his 
destination. 

The wind now coming up fair, the next day we ran 
through Yarmouth Roads ; but as soon as we had got 
over the Stamford, and before we reached Orford Ness, it 
began to blow a strong gale from E.N.E., the sea ran ex¬ 
tremely high, and the night was very dark ; I now steered 
a course for the Foreland, intending to go into Dover Pier. 
The next day, however, being without the Goodwin Sands, 
and the wind blowing strong from the E.S.E. with thick, 
rainy weather, there was no looking at the land with any 
degree of safety ; so that f now steered a course right 
down the Channel, without ever once seeing land, and a 
strong gale continuing to blow hurried us in a very little 
time one hundred leagues to the westward. During this 
whole run the ship was kept free, though the weather prov¬ 
ed very tempestuous, with one pump constantly working. 

Hence it happened that the whole voyage proved re¬ 
markably tedious and turbulent, with frequent heavy gales : 
when we had advanced between five and six leagues, we 
experienced for several days together uncommonly severe 
lack northwesters; the sea running extremely high, often 
breaking over the ship with great violence. Every favorable 
change of wind, however, which enabled us to pursue 



PERILOUS SITUATION OF TIE -AMERICAN. 


412 


either a direct or oblique course, we embraced with thfl 
utmost eagerness and alacrity. 

On the 24th of December we first struck soundings, in 
thirty-five fathoms, bottom a green ooze; being then, as I 
imagined in Block Island Channel, about ten leagues S.W. 
of Rhode Island, as the ship was in that parallel of lati¬ 
tude. Stretching to the west in cold, hazy winter weath¬ 
er, about four hours after, a schooner was discovered bear¬ 
ing down upon us. On being hailed, I told the master of 
her, that we had been out fourteen weeks from England ; 
and that we had sounded thirty-five fathoms in Block 
Island Channel. The master of the schooner then in¬ 
formed me, that he had been out only three days from Bos¬ 
ton bound, as we were, for Rhode Island ; and that we were 
then in St. George’s Channel, to the eastward of Nantucket 
Island. I replied, as I had before experienced these sound¬ 
ings, that I was sure we were in Block Island Channel. At 
thsi reply, the master seemed a good deal piqued, and 
asked me if I, who had been out fourteen weeks from Eng 
land, could pretend to know better than he did, who hau 
been only three days from Boston. Soon after, in a heavy 
gale of wind, accompanied with a great fall of snow, and 
an intense frost, we parted company. As the schooner’s 
account differed at least forty leagues from our own reck¬ 
oning, I now consulted with my mate, whether we should 
abide by our own reckoning, or adopt that of the schoon¬ 
er’s. If the latter, standing to the westward would en¬ 
tangle us with Nantucket’s shoals ; but on the other hand, 
if we should pursue our own, that course would keep us in 
safety under Long Island. At this time the wind was 
blowing strong from the N.E.; the frost very severe, with 
frequent and heavy showers of snow. As the schooner 
had been so short a space of time out of port, her reckon¬ 
ing, unfortunately, was preferred to our own, and the ship’s 
head laid to the eastward, with as much wind and sea as 
enabled us to carry a foresail, the lead going every half 
hour. Previous to this, however, I had given orders to 
have the cables bent and anchors clear, in readiness for 
letting go, should any danger threaten. With these every 
ship from the north of England is furnished, and ships 
from all places ought to be the same, to which they may 


THEY DISCOVER NANTUCKET SHOALS. 


413 


have recourse in the last extremity. Having steered upon 
this course for about eighteen or twenty hours, we gradual¬ 
ly shoaled our water, insomuch that at eight o’clock P. M. 
from thirty-five, we had decreased to nine and ten fathom. 
The night put on a terrible aspect, and proved surely as 
dismal a one for snow and ice, as men could be exposed 
to. I again consulted with the mate, and we were under 
strong apprehensions, that if we wore, and stood upon any 
other course, we might run into unforeseen and fatal dan¬ 
gers ; for we now found that the master of the schooner 
had entirely misled us. 

All hands were now called — the foresail hauled up, and 
handed with much difficulty ; the best bower anchor was 
let go, and all the cable veered out, so that the ship rode 
with a whole cable before her nose. The hawse was now 
served, and all made snug ; and then all hands turned to 
the pumps, and the ship freed. In this dreadfully tem¬ 
pestuous night, the whole crew divided into two watches, 
relieved each other alternately, through the whole night, 
at the pumps, to prevent their freezing, as the frost was 
most intense. 

The ship rode it out much more comfortable than might 
have been expected ; considering her situation in the mid¬ 
dle of the Atlantic in the depth of winter, it being the 
night between the 29th and 30th of December. This 
night, however, appeared to me the longest I had ever ex¬ 
perienced. When the welcome morning at length arrived, 
the wind became somewhat more moderate. At seven 
o’clock, it being then daylight, and a lucid interval be¬ 
tween showers of snow, I ordered a man to the mast-head 
who called out, u Broken water to windward, and to the 
east or starboard bow.” I immediately followed the man 
aloft, and there perceived the imminent danger we had 
been exposed to ; and from which we had been providen¬ 
tially saved. 

This broken water we soon found to be the great shoals 
eP Nantucket Island. On the 30th of December, weighed 
anchor, Nantucket Island bearing N. by W. set the fore¬ 
sail close, reefed the main-top-sail, the wind at N. by E. 
stretching W. N. W. course, at four o’clock, P. M. took 
our departure from Martha’s Vineyard, bearing N. N. E., 
distant one league. 

35 *' 


414 


THE AMERICAN ARRIVES AT NEWPORT 


At six o’clock A. M. close with the lighthouse on Point 
Judith, about ten miles only from Newport, which we were 
anxious to reach as soon as possible ; to accomplish which, 
we kept working the ship in the wind’s eye, tack and tack ; 
but the gale still continuing to blow strong, with our utmost 
exertions we were unable to gain any ground. 

On the 31st, six o’clock P. M. handed the sails ; and 
finding a sandy bottom, let go the anchor in thirty-five 
fathom water ; and notwithstanding the weather continued 
excessively tempestuous, on a rocky and dangerous coast, 
open to the Atlantic ocean, yet the ship rode it out very 
comfortably. During the night we had a great fall of 
snow; in the morning the weather became more moderate 
After clearing the decks of snow and ice, we weighed 
anchor, and worked the ship safe into the harbor of New¬ 
port, in Rhode Island, to the no small amazement of our 
merchant, Mr. Joseph Harrison, and all the gentlemen o$ 
that place. 







Mr. GreatheacTs Li»fe-boat 































































LIFE BOATS, LIFE PRESERVERS, 

AND 

Expedients for the Preservation of Mariners 


Though man be a helpless and perishable creature when 
removed from the element appropriated for his existence, 
he is not altogether unprovided by nature with powers for 
contributing towards his own safety. Strong, nervous, and 
resolute, he may long contend with danger; and notwith¬ 
standing the preponderance of untoward circumstances 
may often effect his destruction, he is placed in many sit¬ 
uations where exertions may be successfully used for self- 
preservation. 

In the first place, every one liable to the casualties of 
the sea, ought to acquire the art of swimming. This is 
not difficult of attainment, and among the South Sea 
Islanders, water is an element as familiar as the air. The 
human body is in itself, somewhat lighter than the same 
bulk of water; and we can float conveniently for a con¬ 
siderable length of time, if we are possessed of sufficient 
self-confidence, and some art in balancing the body. Not 
always long enough, it must be admitted, for complete pro¬ 
tection against the disasters which happen on the ocean, or 
even on rivers or canals, on all of which such multitudes 
are scattered by the industrious and adventurous spirit of 
the age. 

Nor, in cases of shipwreck, does the casual additional 
support of a mast, an oar, or a plank, always suffice to 
lend that buoyancy, on account of this unsteadiness, which 
the perils of the deep often demand. More fixed appen¬ 
dages, of various descriptions, have at different periods 
been introduced to the notice of the public, under the ap¬ 
pellation of life preservers; and boats upon a similar prin¬ 
ciple under the name of life boats, have been constructed, 
so as to be secured against, even when filled with water, 
and in the most tempestuous weather for the purpose of 
rescuing from destruction those who are ready to perish. 



418 


LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS. 


The most simple Life Preserver, is a small square open 
wooden frame, used by the Chinese, and other oriental 
nations, and so common that few vessels venture to tea 



without several of them. The frame is formed of four 
pieces of bamboo with projecting ends, united together by 
cords or jointers into a hollow square, which is drawn up 
from the feet to below the arms. There it remains secure 
from its own buoyancy pressing upwards, and it supports 
the head and shoulders above water. Another simple ex¬ 
pedient is the cork jacket. Its structure is of great sim¬ 
plicity, consisting merely of a canvass jacket with a num¬ 
ber of pieces of cork sewed within or fastened to it. The 
buoyancy of these supports the human body floating on 
the waves, while their thickness affords a defence against 
the rocks whereon a turbulent sea may dash the sufferer. 
But the buoyancy of cork has given way to the superior 
buoyancy of air, and jackets distended with this very light 

fluid, or attached ves¬ 
sels of other forms filled 
with it have been occa¬ 
sionally adopted. The 
simplicity and conveni¬ 
ence of the life preser¬ 
ver invented by Schof- 
fer must at once be 
perceived. It consists of 
a hollow cylinder, form¬ 
ed without a seam, and perfectly air tight, bent when 
distended with air and ready for use, as in figure 2; or it. 
is what may be termed a cylindrical ring, also without the 
break which appears in the former, represented in figure 1, 









LIFE boats and LIFE PRESERVERS. 419 

of this ring the external diameter is generally about 221-2 
inches, the internal diameter about 12, and the diameter of 
the part containing the air about 5 1-2, the dimensions 
varying of course, by being specially adapted to the size ol 
the person by whom it is designed to be employed. By 
its form, it is well fitted for the place which it occupies, 
being situated beneath the arms ; it does not press painful¬ 
ly upon the chest, and the suspension or support being 
placed so high, enables the lower part of the body and 
extremities, to act as a pendulum, in keeping the wearer 
vertical or restoring him to that position, if thrown aside 
by the force of the waves. The two holes are in one ring, 
the only openings, and receive a stop-cock to which an ivory 
pipe is fixed. Through this pipe the air is injected by the 
mouth, and retained by the stop cock, the adjustment and 
inflation only occupying the short space of one minute: 
when unexpanded, it folds up into a very small compass, 
so as to be conveyed in the pocket: and is also very port¬ 
able, its weight being about a pound. They are made 
of cloth and leather made air tight, but india rubber is the 
best article to make them of. Mattrasses filled with cork 
shavings have been recommended as a necessary precaution 
in cases of shipwreck, as they can be strapped on to 
persons. 

Less attention, however, seems to have been excited by 
these and analogous expedients, than to the construction of 
vessels, which should either be capable of resisting the 
effects of a stormy sea, or adapted to bring the crew of a 
stranded vessel to a level shore. Even the rudest savages 
have constructed boats better calculated for the safety of 
mariners than those which are by far the most part, employed 
by civilized nations acquainted with all the mechanical arts. 
The canoes of the South Sea islanders, for example, are 
provided with wooden frames, by us called out-riggers, 
extending from each side between the prow and the stern, 
which preserve their equilibrium in the sea. Though those 
vessels, being long and narrow, a r e incapable of resisting 
the sudden influence of the wind, and would heel to an 
alarming degree, the dipping of the out-rigger counterbal¬ 
ances the pressure, and restores the canoe to its proper 
position. Boats of a construction widely different, but 


4*20 LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS. 

equally adapted for preservation, are used by the savage 
inhabitants of the northern regions. The Greenlanders, 
with ribs of whalebone, form a kind of frame, which is 
covered with the skins of animals stitched together with 
sinews, instead of planks, for a boat. A deck is made 
also of skins, wherein there is a single round hole to admit 
the body of the savage occupying it. The hole is carefully 
stuffed, or the edges drawn up around him, and here he 
sits with a paddle to guide his course, while his slight em¬ 
barkation excludes the water, and from the buoyancy of 
its materials, is securely borne over the loftiest wave. 

The real origin of the life boat is probably unknown. 
It is extremely probable that the earlier navigators were 
not unacquainted with boats somewhat resembling certain 
parts of the structure of those which are now most ap¬ 
proved. The curved keel, the application of cork, or con¬ 
fined air, and boats fashioned so as to row either way, are 
not entirely new inventions; and the construction of a 
boat peculiarly adapted to keep the sea has been longer a 
desideratum than is generally supposed. A life boat in¬ 
vented by Mr. Greathead, has obtained great and deserved 
celebrity. Its invention originated from a deplorable ca¬ 
tastrophe which happened near Tynemouth, England, in 
1789. A vessel struck on the Herd Sands during a storm, 
when owing to the imminent danger, it proved impossible 
to relieve them from the shore; and the unfortunate crew 
dropped one after another into the sea, in sight of numer¬ 
ous spectators. Deeply affected by their fate, the princi¬ 
pal inhabitants offered a premium for the invention of a 
life boat. Mr. Henry Greathead, had remarked that if a 
spheroid be divided into quarters these will float on the 
curvature ; that they cannot be overset or sunk, and will 
be safely borne over broken water. He thence conceived 
that a boat, of a figure somewhat analogous, would possess 
the same properties, and be profitably employed in the de¬ 
liverance of the shipwrecked persons. The first attempt 
to render it serviceable was successful in 1790. And it has 
since contributed to the preservation of thousands of val¬ 
uable lives. 

Though more generally recommended to be thirty feet 
long, ten broad, and three feet four inches deep in the 


LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS. 42 a 

centre, the size must be considered arbitrary, and unques¬ 
tionably it is not that on which its properties depend. The 
keel is a curving beam of great convexity downwards ; fore 
and ait the boat is ilat below, and the stem and stern rake 
towards each other. It is probably on this figure, that any 
properties possessed by the boats depends, and from the 
complete buoyancy obtained by the sides being cased u ith 
seven hundred pounds of cork, four inches thick, proceed¬ 
ing sixteen inches down from the gunwale. The oars are 
short, and adapted in an iron thole, with a gram met, which 
enables the rowers, on facing round to row either way ; and 
steering is accomplished by an oar at each end. The 
peculiar figure of* this boat is conceived to be well adapted 
for a stormy sea; the cork on the sides affords perfect 
security against its being irnmerged, and also proves a 
mutual defence on approaching the vessel which is to be 
relieved, or in landing the crew on a rocky shore. A 
clergyman of the Orkney Islands, named Bremner, pro¬ 
posed a method of fitting up any boat so as to be a preser¬ 
vative in time of danger. This plan is extremely simple. 
One common empty cask is to be secured by lashings with¬ 
in the bow of the boat, and others within the stern in the 
same manner, besides which, vacant spaces close to their 
place are to be filled up with bags or bundles of cork. A 
liorizontal bar of iron or lead is also to be attached to the 
keel within the boat. If a boat be purposely prepared, 
ring-bolts are to be fixed to the keel, through which the 
ropes are passed within, and through auger holes bored in 
the keel without; and if the casks be purposely prepared 
likewise, they have slings with two eyes on each end, the 
great object being to retain them exactly in their places. 
But if there are no ring-bolts, the inventor of this method 
advises that holes be immediately bored in the sides, or the 
bottom of the boat to pass through the ropes securing the 
casks, because no danger will be produced, as the buoyancy 
immediately begins to be exhibited on the water reaching 
the casks. The boat is always supposed to be full of 
water, and to float by means of the united levity of the 
casks and cork contained in it; therefore, though people 
sitting in midships, be in the water, they will not increase 
the weight, or sink her deeper, but the reverse. One great 
36 


422 


L11E BOATS AND LIFE PRESERMRS. 


recommendation of this plan, is the facility with which it 
may be adopted ; for there are scarce any ships unprovided 
with empty casks, and means may always be found to 
secure them in the boat, when extreme* necessity shall in¬ 
duce the crew thus to trust themselves to the waves. 
We have given an engraving of a boat fitted up for a life 
boat on the principle invented by Mr. Bray by means of 
air boxes secured, under the thwarts. Its simplicity is 
conspicuous in the circumstance of its being applicable to 
all boats without the introduction of any incumbrance or 
inconvenient fitting up, and its extensive utility appears to 
be sufficiently evident from its being applicable to all boats 
of whatever form or dimensions ; and by its affording the 
opportunity of bringing into operation, without any attend¬ 
ant inconvenience, a very great body of confined air, the 
superior buoyancy of which is well known, one cubic foot 
of air being capable of supporting 50 lbs. 



Mr. Brafs Life Boat. 


Capt. G. TV. Manly , invented the following plan for 
the preservation of shipwrecked seamen, which has been 
attended with signal success on the coast of Great Britain, 
where it has been adopted. Instructions . After the means 
of communication have been effected between a stranded 
vessel and the shore, by a rope attached to a shot projected 
from a mortar, it is often found a matter of great difficulty 
to make the persons on board understand how they are to 






LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERrERS. 


423 


net, and many lives have been lost through this cause 
alone. In order to remedy this evil, and to render this 
system of relief mutually and immediately understood, the 
following instructions are submitted :— 

Directions to persons on board Vessels stranded on a Lee- 
Shore. It is your duty, as well, no doubt, as your inclina¬ 
tion, to use every honorable and manly endeavor to save the 
vessel and cargo committed to your care, and to satisfy 
yourself that these have failed before it is a justifiable 
resource to run the ship on shore, for the preservation of 
your own lives. On the determination being made to run 
for the beach, every exertion should be made to keep your 
vessel off the shore till high water, and then if canvass 
is or can be set, steer your vessel stem on, with as much 
force as possible, making signals of distress to attract the 
notice of the people on shore, who will collect at the point 
most favorable for the purpose, and prepare to assist you; 
endeavor to run for the spot where they are collected. 
Shipmasters, on these occasions must enforce their authority 
more than ever, and seamen must be more than usually 
obedient, as the safety of all on board will frequently de¬ 
pend on this. Whether a vessel is thus run on shore, or is 



stranded, without any chance of time or place, the follow- 
• ing directions will equally apply, and must be minutely 
observed and practised : — Collect in some safe part of the 
vessel, ready to apply as occasion may require, all your 
small lines and ropes, buoys, pieces of cork, or small kegs, 
(such as seamen keep spirits in,) snatch, tail, and othei 
blocks, with a warp or hawser clear, axes, knives, &c.; all 
these may be of great use. Attend to the people on shore, 
and observe if they have a boat, or are getting one to the 



424 LIFE BGA1S AND LIFE PRESERVE* 9. 

spot, as ♦heir first object would be to launch it to you, and 
to throw a line on board to you, to haul her off with ; in 
that case they will make signal No. 1. The signals, illus¬ 
trated by representations and their distinct meanings, will be 
hereafter described. On receiving the line, you will secure 
the end to such part of the vessel as may best draw the 
boat into a safe lee. If the people on shore, after you have 
received the line, make signal No. 2, you will bend the 
warp or hawser to the line, and they will draw it on shore, 
fearing to trust the boat to the small line. When the bend 
is made, and you are ready, make your signal No. 1. (which 
will be hereafter described, expressing yes.) If, when you 
have got the line, the people on shore find you have not a 
warp ready, and wish you to haul on board by it a stouter 
rope to haul the boat off with, they will make signal No. 3, 
to haul away, for you to receive a stout rope; secure it as 
before directed, and make your signal number one, which 
is also to denote you are ready , or their direction is com¬ 
plied with. 

Remark. A boat, when it can be applied, is the prompt¬ 
est method of bringing a crew on shore. Upwards of 
twenty crews have been saved by them. 

If, when you have received the line, and observe there is 
no boat at hand, and the signal on shore (No. 3) is made, 
you will haul in, and receive by it the end of a stout rope, 
and a tail-block rove with a small line, both ends of which 
are kept on shore ; make the stout rope and the tail of the 
block well fast round your mast, higher or lower, as circum¬ 
stances may require, and the tail-block close below the large 
-ope. On your making signal No. 1, denoting to have 
complied with the directions of having carefully secured 
the stout rope and tail-block, the people on shore will haul 
taut the stout rope, and place on it a snatch-block, (with 
a sling hanging to it large enough to hold a man ;) and 
making the ends of the small line fast to the lower part of 

the snatch-block, they will 
work it to the ship, when 
on a man getting into the 
sling, he will, by pulling 
down the slide or button, secure himself by the waist to 
the upper part of the sling, prevent the possibility of falling 





LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS. 


425 



out; and on seeing the clasp* of the block forclockcd, 
make signal No. 1, that 
all is ready, the people 
on shore will haul the 
man to the land, and in 
the same manner will 
travel the snatch-block 
back, until every person 
is got from the wreck, as 
here represented. Bcmark. Crews have thus been brought 
in safety from distances exceeding 240 yards from the 
shore, and also from wrecks to the top of a cliff. 

If the vessel stranded have women, children, sick or 
infirm persons on 
board, who could 
not go aloft, instead 
of a snatch-block 
and sling, a cot, 
with lashings, to 
prevent persons be¬ 
ing washed out may 
be worked in the manner just described. 

If the stranded vessel is driven among the rocks, and the 
persons in danger of being killed, or severely wounded 
from the surf dashing them with force against the rocky 
beach, a hammock, stuf-« 
fed with cork parings or 
shavings, as here rep¬ 
resented, would protect 
them from injury. 

If the people on shore have only the means of projecting 
a line for your preservation, they will make signal No 4, for 
you to secure it, and draw on board so much as will fully 
reach from the vessel to the shore, to ensure a con¬ 
tinued communication; with it make a clove hitch, which 
is to be put over the shoulders and arms of those to be 
Drought on shore, and draw it tight in the manner here 




* This remark is necessary, from the omission of the clasp bein^ her* 
represented, that should cross the mouth of the Ldock. 

36 * 










426 


LIFE BOATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS. 


represented; and on your making signal No. 1, that you 




are ready, take care to clear 
the wreck, and jump over- 


Jboard, when the people on 
||shore will instantly haul 
tlirough the surf in 

Remark. Upwards of 
50 persons have been saved 
Sf in this manner, and among 


them one woman. Should females or persons on board, 
from fear or agitation, be deprived of confidence in this 
mode of relief, a cushion, stuffed with fine cork parings, in 
the form represented, with lash¬ 
ings, so as to be easily adjusted to 
:the body, would make a floating 
belt, in this manner, and effec¬ 
tually prevent the wearer from all 
danger or possibility of drowning. 
How important it would be to the 
of life from shipwreck, if every 
owner of a vessel would consider it a duty he 
owes to humanity, to cause a hammock, and 
cushions, stuffed as described, to be kept onboard his ship. 
The expense would be a mere trifle, as cork shavings or 
parings are considered of little or no value ; they would 
also be eminently useful in preventing a boat from sinking, 
by placing them under the thwarts. 

If the distance from the shore is too great for the mor¬ 
tar to be tried, or if the shot falls short of the vessel, bend 
your lightest and best stretched line to the buoy, veer s 
away gently, not paying out too fast: buoy up your line 
every twenty fathoms, if you can, with corks or small spirit 
kegs, or any thing you may have fit for the purpose; the 


Remark . 








LIFE BC ATS AND LIFE PRESERVERS 


421 


buoy wiL not reach the shore, but it will drive near enougi 



to enable them to throw a grapnell shot over it, to draw it 
onshore* when this is done, look out for the signals as 
before, and be prepared in every way to obey them, and to 
act with the people on shore. 

Form of signals from the shore. The signal man will 
stand clear of the crowd, and place himself in front of a 
small flag. No. 1. Are you ready—or look out for the 
rope : we are preparing to launch a bont to you. No. 2. 
Secure the rope ; bend a warp or hawser to it, for us to 


No. 1. 



No. 2. No. 3. No. 4. 



send you a stout rope, to be made fast to some firm parts 
of the wreck, for us to haul off* a boat. No. 3. Haul 
away—to receive a stout rope, snatch-block with sling, cot, 
or hammock. No. 4. Haul on board enough of the line 
to ensure a continued communication—take care to clear 
the wreck. 

Signals to he made from the ship in reply to any direc¬ 
tions. No. 1. A man in some conspicuous situation, will 
wave his arm three times horizontally, or across him, to 
denote yes , or ready. If he has a hat, let him take it in the 
hand he waves. No. 2. Three times up and down, to 
answer no, or not ready 










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